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The Spark Gap Signal That Changed ANZAC History Telegrapher William Wolseley Falconer, RAN Australian Submarine HMAS AE2 Michael J

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The Spark Gap Signal That Changed ANZAC History Telegrapher William Wolseley Falconer, RAN Australian Submarine HMAS AE2 Michael J The spark gap signal that changed ANZAC history Telegrapher William Wolseley Falconer, RAN Australian Submarine HMAS AE2 Michael J. Charteris VK4QS / VK4XQM Ex Royal Australian Navy The year 2015, saw Australians & New Zealanders commemorate what can only be described as one of the most militarily important events in both nations somewhat short histories, the Centenary of ANZAC. But how many amateurs are aware of the fact that it was all down to an Australian Submarine HMAS AE2 which fi rst breached the Dardanelles to enter the Sea of Marmora only hours before the ANZACs actually landed on the beaches of Gallipoli at 4:28Am on the morning of April 25th 1915. Sadly in the scheme of the greater ANZAC Legend, these gallant Offi cers and Sailors of the HMAS Figure 1: HMAS AE2 in the Sea of Marmora. AE2 have been somewhat pushed from the limelight to the shadows of history. Yet their role in the Gallipoli campaign, as the fi rst submarine to successfully negotiate the Photo 1: HMAS AE2. strong currents, shore batteries and sea mines of the Dardanelles, did in effect change the course of Australian and New Zealand Military history. Of the 37 crew members who served under Lt. Commander Henry Stoker, only 14 were born in Australia, 21 crew members were born in Great Britain, one in Brazil, and yes one in New Zealand to see it as a truly ANZAC operation. The Dardanelles is a well- protected stretch of water some 35 miles long, with a swift fresh water current running one way, and a strong salt water current running in the opposite direction below it. Add to this, Ottoman gun batteries that line each side of the shore, and sea mines that lurk for a good length of the journey before you reach the Sea of Marmora. Now you 16 Amateur Radio April 2016 AR Magazine Copyright WIA 2020. For personal use by David Williamson, WIA member 400887. Downloaded Wed 09 Sep 2020 at 14:06:50 have some idea of what only can Dardanelles fell to the submarine’s be described by many as a Suicide Telegrapher, William Wolseley HAM RAD O HOUSE Mission. It was into this labyrinth of Falconer. Young Falconer had been The Boatanchor shop! death that sailed the gallant men born in Richmond, Victoria, and www.hamradiohouse.com.au of HMAS AE2 with disaster their enlisted into the Royal Australian Email: [email protected] companion at every moment along Navy at the age of 18 for a seven Phone: 0414-392653 the way. years stint. The Wireless equipment PO Box 1357, PENRITH NSW 2751 When it comes to the Gallipoli carried by the AE2 was the Marconi Receiving Valves (NOS except as noted) OB2 $9.00 6AF4 $9.00 landings, the fact is that this April Type 10 Spark Gap Transmitter. OA2 $9.00 5Y3GT $20.00 8BN8 $8.00 5AR4 $28.00 25th 1915 event had not gone well I have found a reference to this 7360 $34.00 13DE7 $8.00 for the ANZACs. Stiff opposition particular set with details showing 6U8 (A) $8.50 12DK6 $8.00 6SK7 $8.00 12BZ6 $18.00 from a determined enemy defending frequency range of 375 kHz to 1400 6SH7 $8.00 12BY7 $20.00 6SG7 $8.00 12BE6 $12.00 his homeland had seen the kHz, with a reliable transmitting 6SC7 $17.00 12BA6 $12.00 rumoured “Sick Man of Europe” range of 120 miles. 6SA7 $12.00 12AX7 $25.00 6K6GT $9.00 12AU7 $25.00 present stiff opposition. Nor were In their book “Stoker’s 6JH8 $9.00 12AT7 $20.00 they the “Push-over” everyone Submarine”, Fred & Elizabeth 6H6GT $9.00 6GK6 $14.00 Transmitting Valves said they would be. After some Brenchley said of Falconer: 6EW6 $8.00 6146BNos $50.00 6EV7 $8.00 6146BCh $30.00 14 hours of hard fi ghting it was If one man could claim to have 6DC6 $12.00 2E26 $11.00 “Re-embarkation” that was being infl uenced the course of history with 6D10 $19.00 G-807 $15.00 6CX8 $8.00 6JE6C $65.00 strongly considered by the ANZAC a single deed, it would be AE2’s 6CA4 $25.00 More valves avail . 6BZ6 $10.00 Commanders. To this end, General Telegrapher William Falconer. It was 6BV8 $12.00 Ceramic Octal, 7 pin Birdwood sent a delegation to Falconer’s message on the night of 6BN8 $15.00 and 9 pin sockets 6BE6 $7.50 from $2.75ea; General Sir Ian Hamilton aboard the ANZAC offensive that fi gured 6AW8 $7.50 6AU6A $9.00 Trimmers, Caps, the Flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth. in the midnight meeting aboard the 6AQ5A $10.00 Electros, Resistors, They arrived around midnight to put fl agship, on whether the ANZACs 6AN8 $10.00 Alignment tools etc. the case forward for an immediate should be withdrawn. Captain My Drake TR4C & Lafayette HA-230 evacuation due to heavy losses. Stoker wrote, ‘At nightfall we again AC4PS - Good . Excellent. Admiral Thursby was also commenced to establish wireless $650 plus P&P $275 plus P&P present at this meeting, and he communications with the fl eet, but expressed the view that it would with no more success than before. take three days to re-embark the Every possible test and overhaul of already landed ANZACs. Thursby our instruments was carried out, but Drake 2-B Incl added words to the effect that, to no avail’. However history shows calibrator – Heathkit SB-303 S/S Receiver. Nice the Turks would probably not that the message got through. Good $450 plus P&P $340 plus P&P just standby and wave hankies Falconer was never acknowledged as the ANZACs departed to fi ght for the feat it actually was, but another day. General Hamilton it was known about. Captain listened intently to both sides of the Francis Haworth Booth, the RAN Much more available 73, argument while considering what representative in London, wrote to – call Stephen VK2ASC should be done. At about the same Naval Command in Melbourne on time that this crucial meeting was the 17th of December 1917. John 1918. He arrived back in Australia in in progress, the AE2 had surfaced (Tiny) Kerin, Stoker, and William April 1919 and was demobilized at in the Sea of Marmora to recharge Falconer were both nominated his own request in September 1919. her batteries. Next the wireless for awards, but sadly the Naval antenna was erected, only to fi nd Board (Admiralty) rejected this HMS Jed that their receiver was inoperable because they (the Admiralty) had Back at the entrance to the and the transmitter was also playing not proposed to take similar action Dardanelles was the Royal Navy up. Regardless of this, Captain for their personnel. As a prisoner of Destroyer HMS Jed. She had been Stoker ordered that the report be war in Turkey, Falconer was interned sent there on wireless watch for sent off to the Flagship. This was fi rst at Afi on Kara Hissar, then any signals on the submarine guard despite the fact that it could not be Belemedik. His technical expertise frequency, from HMAS AE2. Thus, confi rmed if the signal had in fact made him a valuable asset to the the signal sent by William Falconer been transmitted, or for that matter German engineers contracted to from HMAS AE2 was picked up if anyone had received their signals. build the railway through the Taurus by HMS Jed and relayed to HMS The task of sending the signal Mountains. Falconer survived these Queen Elizabeth. Whilst aboard confi rming that the HMAS AE2 bitter years, and after his release HMS Queen Elizabeth, no resolution had successfully breached the returned to London by the end of had been reached, when out of AR Magazine Copyright WIA 2020. For personal use by David Williamson, WIA member 400887. Downloaded Wed 09 Sep 2020 at 14:06:50 Amateur Radio April 2016 17 the blue Lieutenant Commander Brodie entered the room with the signal from HMAS AE2, relayed from HMS Jed. Admiral Keys took the signal from Brodie, and then announced to the room words to the effect “Gentlemen, an Australian submarine has achieved what no other submarine has done. It has breached the Dardanelles and is now in the Sea of Marmora”. Hamilton asked for the signal and read it for himself, before telling the room, words to the effect, “The troops have gotten through the hardest part of the landing, and now all the need to do is to dig, dig, dig, until they are safe”. Thus the ANZAC legend that we know and commemorate today had its origins in the Spark Wireless signal transmitted by Telegrapher Photo 2: Lieutenant Commander Geoffrey Haggard DSC & Commander Henry William Falconer on the Marconi Stoker DSO. Type 10 MF transmitter from the Australian Submarine HMAS AE2. The reign of terror that HMAS abandon the submarine. Everyone Creation of VI4AE2 AE2 caused to Turkish shipping in got off safely and the crew went into With the announcement that both the Sea of Marmora led to serious captivity for the next three and a Australia and New Zealand would be delays in bringing up much needed half years. propagating the Special call signs, reinforcements and supplies. For his gallantry, Lieutenant VK100ANZAC and ZL100ANZAC, Everything now had to come by Commander Henry Stoker was I began to feel that somehow the way of a much longer route by road. awarded the Distinguished Service whole story of Australia’s involvement This gave the ANZACs a pause Order from the hand of King George in the Gallipoli campaign was not for breath that saw them establish the Fifth in 1919.
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