East Mudros

Troopship SS Ermine in Mudros Harbour, preparing to transfer men to Gallipoli. — TROOPSHIP SS ERMINE IN MUDROS HARBOUR, PREPARING TO TRANSFER MEN TO GALLIPOLI. Yol8RBG9 - STATE LIBRARY NSW

Australians first set up camp on the eastern side of Mudros Harbour, near the French and British camps.

The 3rd Brigade selected a site on a small hill overlooking the harbour, to the north of Mudros town. There, they laid out the Australian camp and helped erect No. 1 Australian Stationary Hospital (1ASH) nearby.

These first Australian arrivals scoured the island for freshwater sources. Because water was scarce, only around 1,000 men stayed at the camp, the rest on their ships. Over the following weeks, the troops sunk wells. In April, supply ships also brought fresh water from Alexandria to help address the shortage.

Most Anzacs arrived over 7–17 April and stayed on their troopships in Mudros Harbour due to the freshwater problem. They went ashore on cutters, lighters and other small watercraft to train for the coming battle and to help establish facilities.

A vast collection of transports began gradually to gather in Mudros Harbour. — A vast collection of Allied transports gradually began to gather in Mudros Harbour. C00858 - Australian War Memorial