Hawick Callants Club

Hawick Callants ClubHawick Callants ClubHawick Callants Club

Hawick Callants Club

Hawick Callants ClubHawick Callants ClubHawick Callants Club
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  • Common Riding
    • Summary
    • Foreword
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    • Hornshole
    • The flag (the colour)
    • Choosing the cornet
    • Ridesout
    • The Colour Bussing
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    • Riding the Marches
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    • Returning the flag
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  • News
  • Gallipoli
    • Introduction
    • 1965 pilgrimage
    • Artefacts
    • 2006 Commemoration
    • 2014 Memorial
    • 1/4th Battalion Katia
    • Gallipoli Centenary 2015
    • 2015 Helles Memorial
    • Gallipoli Day 2016
    • 12th July 2023
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    • Annual Dinner 2024
    • Smoker 2023
    • Annual Dinner 2023
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  • More
    • Home
    • The Club
      • Formation
      • Officials
      • Publications
    • Common Riding
      • Summary
      • Foreword
      • The Common
      • The Charter
      • The Common Riding
      • Division of the common
      • Hornshole
      • The flag (the colour)
      • Choosing the cornet
      • Ridesout
      • The Colour Bussing
      • The snuffin'
      • The Chase
      • Riding the Marches
      • Social Functions
      • The Kirkin'
      • Returning the flag
      • Drum and Fife Band
      • The Songs of Hawick
    • News
    • Gallipoli
      • Introduction
      • 1965 pilgrimage
      • Artefacts
      • 2006 Commemoration
      • 2014 Memorial
      • 1/4th Battalion Katia
      • Gallipoli Centenary 2015
      • 2015 Helles Memorial
      • Gallipoli Day 2016
      • 12th July 2023
    • Functions
      • Annual Dinner 2025
      • Annual Dinner 2024
      • Smoker 2023
      • Annual Dinner 2023
    • Contact Us
    • Story Competition
    • Hawick
  • Home
  • The Club
    • Formation
    • Officials
    • Publications
  • Common Riding
    • Summary
    • Foreword
    • The Common
    • The Charter
    • The Common Riding
    • Division of the common
    • Hornshole
    • The flag (the colour)
    • Choosing the cornet
    • Ridesout
    • The Colour Bussing
    • The snuffin'
    • The Chase
    • Riding the Marches
    • Social Functions
    • The Kirkin'
    • Returning the flag
    • Drum and Fife Band
    • The Songs of Hawick
  • News
  • Gallipoli
    • Introduction
    • 1965 pilgrimage
    • Artefacts
    • 2006 Commemoration
    • 2014 Memorial
    • 1/4th Battalion Katia
    • Gallipoli Centenary 2015
    • 2015 Helles Memorial
    • Gallipoli Day 2016
    • 12th July 2023
  • Functions
    • Annual Dinner 2025
    • Annual Dinner 2024
    • Smoker 2023
    • Annual Dinner 2023
  • Contact Us
  • Story Competition
  • Hawick

1965 pilgrimage

25th April 1965 marked the 50th Anniversary of the Gallipoli Landings. During the course of this campaign the Hawick Territorials of the 1/4th Battalion KOSB suffered the most grievous losses, especially on the 12th July 1915. Few battles have spread grief more widely through the homes of Hawick. Due to the expense involved, and the difficulties in reaching the Gallipoli Peninsula, it was impossible for survivors to visit the graves of their fallen comrades. On the occasion of this anniversary, a reunion cruise had been arranged affording the opportunity, in cooperation with the Turkish War Veterans Association, of visiting the war cemeteries and memorial of 1915 in Gallipoli.


After discussions, The Galliopli Comrades Association accepted an offer from the Callants Club to appeal for funds to enable representatives to make this pilgrimage.


On 12th January 1965, the Callants Club President J.T.Peacock and W.G.R. Robertson, Secretary, wrote various local organisations, businesses and individuals appealing for funds to enable members of the Gallipoli Comrades Association to take part in this Pilgrimage. The appeal had the approval of the Provost and Town Clerk and the support of local ex-servicemens associations. The Burgh Chamberlain, Mr Sam Wright, kindly consented to act as Honorary Treasurer.

The following were subscribers of £10 and over to the Gallipoli Anniversary Fund:

  • Stuart Baxter, Pringle of Scotland Ltd
  • Hawick Rotary Club
  • Hawick Ex-Servicemens Association
  • Barrie Knitwear Ltd
  • John A Turnbull MBE
  • Wilson & Glenny Ltd
  • His Grace The Duke of Buccleuch
  • Hawick Town Council
  • A Cavers
  • James Renwick & Co Ltd
  • Kings Own Scottish Borders Association
  • British Legion – Hawick Branch and Trustees of British Legion
  • Gallipoli Comrades Association
  • W.G.R. Robertson
  • J. Aitken
  • Adam Inglis
  • Ernest Tait


Over £600 was raised and as a result of all the generous donations, the following six members of the 1/4th Battalion KOSB, Gallipoli Comrades Association were selected by ballot to make the journey. All were from Hawick:


  • Joseph Murray, 2 Dalkeith Place
  • Adam Buckham, Deanfield House
  • John M. Ballantyne, 1 Buccleuch Place
  • Charles Spalding, 6 Rosevale Street
  • William B Robson, 57 McLagan Drive
  • Thomas Jackson, 24 Laidlaw Place


Also present on the Pilgrimage was Robert W. Deans, 99 Weensland Road.

The party left Hawick by train on Thursday 6th May arriving at St Pancras Station in London at 8.10am on Friday 7th May.


Itinerary: Outward Journey

7th May 1965

9:30 - Assemble at Victoria Station (London) barrier of platform No 7

10.30 - Depart from Victoria Station (or relief train). Seats reserved Victoria to Dover

11:57 - Arrive Dover

12.50 - Depart Dover on cross-channel ship

14:10 - Arrive Calais

14:37 - Depart Calais (seats reserved Calais to Paris)

18:47 - Arrive Paris (Lyon).   Change platforms to depart on the Simplon Orient Express

19:28 - Depart Paris (Lyon).  Couchettes reserved fom Paris to Venice


8th May 1965

08:50 - Arrive Venice (SL). Upon arrival in Venice, transfer of passengers and luggage by local agents direct to ship by 10.30. Day free until ship departs.


SS Atreus - a total of 2611 miles 

Day                         Date                      Ports of Call                     Arrive                         Depart 

Sat.                         May 08                    Venice                                     -                                17:00

Sun.                        May 09                   At sea                                       -                                    -

Mon.                       May 10                   Corfu                                   08:00                            13:00

Tue.                        May 11                    Piraeus                               07:00                            18:00

Wed.                       May 12                   Salonika                            13:00                             24:00

Thu.                        May 13                   Mudros                              10:00                             12:00 

Fri.                           May 14                   Istanbul                             08:00                             After Bosphorus

Sat.                         May 15                   Istanbul                                   -                                 19:00

Sun.                        May 16                   Chanakkale                      07:00                                -

Mon.                       May 17                   Chanakkale                           -                                  20:00

Tue.                        May 18                    Dikili                                   06:00                                 -

Tue.                        May 18                    Kusadasi                                -                                  20:00

Tue.                        May 18                    Samos                                 21:30                             24:00

Wed.                       May 19                    Delos                                   07:00                             10:00

Wed.                       May 19                    Mykonos                            11:00                             13:00

Wed.                       May 19                    Piraeus                               19:30                                -

Thu.                       May 20                    Itea                                       07:00                             23:00

Fri.                          May 21                    At Sea                                     -                                   13:00

Gallipoli
Brigadier-General Pollock-McCall snatched up a rifle and bayonet, shouted to the Borderers to follow him, and dashed out into the open. Here, there and everywhere, the Borderers, shouting and cheering, jumped out, and there ensued a wild but steady advance in lines across the open for the gardens of Mughar. The Brigade Commander led his men all the way, a bullet piercing his shrapnel helmet...

Contemporary account

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