Cape Helles

Cape Helles forms the southernmost part of the Gallipoli peninsula, Turkey. It resides to the west of the opening of the Dardanelles, the landscape consisting primarily of a rocky outcrop with a series of nullahs running through the earth like veins from the higher ground at the village of Krithia and the peak of Achi Baba at a height of 200m above sea level. It was here that the 1st Border Regiment took part in the Helles Operations of 1915.

This is the site of the amphibious invasion by the British and French forces that took place on 25 April 1915 during the First World War. It was here that heavy fighting ensued to force Turkey out of the war. Fighting continued until the full evacuation of the British in early January, 1916. This a British defeat and a failed operation to successfully take control of the peninsula.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission maintains the Helles Memorial to this day.

Compendium entry: This is a collection of words and knowledge relative to the specific analysis of the Lonsdale Battalion and the wider Border Regiment, predominantly in connection with their actions and the places they were known to have been stationed or fought during the 1914-1918 period. Much of this information has come from primary sources including, but not limited to, the Lonsdale records and the Border Regiment War Diaries. Please feel free to expand and improve this resource.