Bowler of Gallipoli – Witness to the ANZAC Legend

The biography of Lieutenant-Colonel Edmund Bowler – the only New Zealander to serve on the Staff Corps of ANZAC at Gallipoli in 1915. pp. 142 illusts First Edition #0119

Lieutenant Colonel Edmund Bowler began a long military career in 1894 and was serving in the Southland Mounted Rifles when he volunteered for overseas service in 1914.

One of four Military Beach Landing Officers, Lt Col Bowler was the first New Zealander to land on the beach at Anzac Cove on 25 April 1915, and the only landing officer to survive. He served for four months in Gallipoli as Commandant of Anzac Cove and was invalided to England in September 1915.

In letters home, Lt Col Bowler described the conditions he experienced during his time on Gallipoli as “hell on earth” and strongly condemned the Dardanelles leadership. Both in England and on his return to New Zealand he became a fierce advocate, despite poor health, for the men who died or were scarred because of their service.