Logs from Turkish trenches : Lone Pine, Gallipoli

Three pine logs, all with borer damage. The first log is approximately 260 cm in length. One end is roughly shaped with half the thickness of the end of the log, cut away for it to join with another log with a corresponding cut away. There are two nails still embedded in the cut away section of the log, and three small holes in the very end of the log. A piece of steel has been placed around half the circumference of the log, held in place by two large nails. A third nail is embedded near the centre of the log. Painted on the log is the following text '[illegible] No. 103 / M289'. There are also splatters of grey paint near the text. This log has been debarked.

The second log is approximately 229.7 cm in length. The log still has most of its bark, although it is mostly missing from one end. At the other end are two nails embedded in the log.

The third log is approximately 246 cm in length. Like the first log, it has one end cut half the thickness of the log to create a join with another log. There is one small hole at the very end with a nail embedded near it. At the other end the log has been cut diagonally, as for a mitred joint, and two nails are embedded at this end. This log has also been debarked.

Three logs used by the Turks at Lone Pine as roofing for their trench system. The logs either came from trees especially felled for the purpose, or were removed from existing buildings in the area. The logs were collected by the Australian Historical Mission on 4 March 1919.

C E W Bean, who led the Mission, later wrote in a letter '...We have only got about three logs from Lone Pine, whence all the timber head cover has long since been removed. But you can find these logs in the huts east of the Pine still, though the huts in the area are fast being demolished by the Turkish and Greek farmers from Anafarta way (from whose houses, I have no doubt, the Turks originally took a lot of wood). They haven't touched the Lone Pine huts yet as far as I know...'