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The Graveyards of Gallipoli; A Digger History Associate Site |
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A Tribute to the Men of all the Nations that took part in the Gallipoli Campaign of 1915 |
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Dur Yolcu (Stop Wayfarer) Memorial, Gallipoli Peninsular, Turkey |
| Dur Yolcu Yazası |
No BE 7 |
Photos by Tim Kantar |
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The Dur Yolcu Memorial on the hillside above Kilitbahir, Gallipoli.Above the fort, and on a hilltop to the right, is a huge figure of a 1915 Turkish soldier carved in white upon the hillside. In one hand he holds a rifle while his other arm is outstretched towards a Turkish inscription: Dur yolcu! This loosely translates to Traveller halt! A full translation of the poem throws more light on the poet's meaning. |
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wayfarer! Unbeknownst to you this ground You come and tread on, is where an epoch lies; Bend down and lend your ear, for this silent mound Is the place where the heart of a nation sighs. To the left of this deserted shadeless lane The Anatolian slope now observe you well; For liberty and honour, it is, in pain, Where wounded Mehmet laid down his life and fell. This very mound, when violently shook the land, When the last bit of earth passed from hand to hand, And when Mehmet drowned the enemy in flood, Is the spot where he added his own pure blood. Think, the consecrated blood and flesh and bone That make up this mound, is where a whole nation, After a harsh and pitiless war, alone Tasted the joy of freedom with elation. |
