by the 25th and 27th
Battalions. Nominally the Battalion was withdrawn for a rest, but
actually the divisional reserve's main function was to supply parties
for all manner of work behind the front line.

For the sake of convenience these parties were placed near Hell Spit, in
Reserve Gully, and other features which afforded the necessary cover.
They worked under their own officers, who received their instructions
from the Beach Commandant, from the Commanding Royal Engineer of one of
the divisions, or from a member of the Corps Staff.

One party was engaged in building a series of terraces to receive the
marquees of a Casualty Clearing Station. This necessitated the free use
of explosives and the removal of many tons of earth. The work was
carried out in such an efficient manner as to excite the surprise and
admiration of the Royal Engineers. To finish it off an elaborate
retaining wall was built with material from the shore. This wall
contained a large corner stone upon which was placed the inscription "A
Coy. 28 Bn. didit."

Some platoons were employed on the engineer, ordnance, and supply dumps.
Others assisted in unloading lighters at the piers and transferring
loads from storeships into lighters. Generally the work was without
incident except for occasional casualties from "Beachy Bill," which from
the Olive Grove sprayed the beach with its shrapnel. The great storm of
November 27th was, however, productive of some experiences of interest
and not without danger. Several of the ships upon which the men were
working had to make for shelter--refuge being taken at Suvla, Imbros,
and even as far away as Lemnos. To this latter place went Lieut. T. O.
Nicholls and his team, who found themselves on a craft that dragged her
anchors and was short of water and stores. Fourteen days elapsed before
they were able to return to Anzac. Those who suffered from sea-sickness
certainly did not enjoy these involuntary trips.

At 5 p.m. on the day of the storm, all hands and the cook were summoned
to Anzac Cove for salvage work. On arrival it was found that the piers
had been washed away. Big baulks of timber were being thrown about by
the sea, in a most disconcerting manner, amongst all sorts of stores.
The first duty assigned the party by the Beach Commandant was to restore
some semblance of order amongst the members of a certain Labour Corps
who had run wild. This was achieved in an expeditious though somewhat
violent manner. Th