Walking the Ground of Gallipoli

For two dedicated Army Cadet volunteers from Greater Manchester Army Cadets, 1 (Minden) Company, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, a visit to the Gallipoli Peninsula became an opportunity to bring history to life and deepen the knowledge they share with young people. 

Colour Sergeant (SSgt) Laurence Turnbull and Company Sergeant Major (CSM) Michael Toner travelled to Türkiye in May 2026 to explore one of the First World War’s most significant battlefields. Their visit was the culmination of years of studying the Gallipoli campaign and teaching its history to cadets as part of the Army Cadet syllabus. 

The journey gave both volunteers the opportunity to experience first-hand the terrain, memorials and stories that have shaped one of the British Army’s most studied campaigns, allowing them to return with new perspectives to inspire future generations of cadets. 

Bringing Military History to Life 

SSgt Turnbull first joined the Army Cadets in 1983 and, after returning as a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer in 2022, became Detachment Commander at Bury Detachment in Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force. 

Alongside CSM Toner, an enthusiastic military historian, he has spent several years delivering military history lessons on the Gallipoli campaign. Their presentations combined historical research, eyewitness accounts and soldiers’ diaries to help cadets understand the challenges faced by those who served. 

Determined to take their learning further, the pair set themselves the goal of visiting the peninsula to see the battlefield for themselves and gain a deeper appreciation of the events they had spent years teaching. 

Over four days, they explored the beaches where Allied forces landed, climbed the ridges that became synonymous with the campaign, visited Turkish fortifications and paid their respects at 38 Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries. 

Honouring Those Who Served 

Standing on the ground where thousands of soldiers fought more than a century ago gave both volunteers a new understanding of the campaign and the immense courage shown by those involved. 

Among the most poignant moments of the visit was discovering the graves of several Fusiliers sharing the Turnbull surname, as well as the headstone of a 16-year-old East Lancashire Fusilier. These encounters brought a personal connection to the history and reinforced the importance of remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice. 

The experience also challenged long-held assumptions about the campaign, as seeing the steep terrain and harsh conditions first-hand provided valuable context that cannot always be appreciated through books alone. 

By sharing these experiences with cadets, SSgt Turnbull and CSM Toner hope to make military history even more engaging and meaningful. Their visit demonstrates how Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs) continue to develop their own knowledge and understanding, ensuring the lessons they deliver inspire curiosity, encourage critical thinking and honour the legacy of those who served. 

As they look ahead, they hope their journey will encourage other CFAVs with an interest in military history to visit historic battlefields, bringing fresh insight and lived experience back into the classroom for the benefit of the Army Cadets.