According to the AWM site, it is Lester Lawrence, Reuter's correspondent (C.E.W. Bean is taking the photo.)
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C327595
Here is a better view of him:
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/G01411/
Yes, Bean wrote over a million words of Australian History by himself and created the 'Anzac myth' along the way.
By far one of the biggest missed opportunities of the war for the Entente, as cutting the railways in this area would've forced the Ottomans out of Palestine and Syria.
IIRC the Ottomans were worried that the Entente Powers would land at Bulair, the neck of the Gallipoli peninsula, and so concentrated their defences (two divisions?) in that area. Hamilton knew this and some bloke named Bernard Freyberg (wonder what happened to him?) carried out a one-man strategic diversion in the Gulf of Saros for which he was awarded the DSO. The window of opportunity after the initial landings was as long as it took to move those Ottoman divisions south.
Incidentally if you ever do get the chance to visit Gallipoli, take it. Not only are the locals very friendly and the land is beautiful, you won't believe how horrendous was the terrain and how close the front lines were. Stay in Canakale and take the ferry between continents every morning.
Bernard Freyberg: Went on to win a V.C. Later in the war, commanded the New Zealand forces, including the defence / evacuation of Crete in WW11. Think he ended up as Governor General of New Zealand after WW11. - Have I got the right bloke ?
Lawrence was not either the first nor the major line cutter in the Hejaz. Other British officers and NCOs were doing this too and taught him how to do it.Err !! What was T.E.Lawrence doing ?
Admittedly, a bit further south, in what is now Saudi Arabia.
Actually I think the Greeks offered a three-division corps (60.000 men). The 1915 mobilization provided 300.000-320.000 men so I doubt the Greeks would leave the border with Bulgaria virtually undefended. Even with a corps, there is an increase of 50% of the total initial landing force (9 divisions instead of 6). Moreover, the Greek divisions would be veteran ones from the recent Balkan wars. However, the most important thing would have be the British to utilize the detailed greek plans for the operation. That's the hardest part... I don't see that happening due to pride and dismissiveness towards the small balkan ally. Still with 3 more experienced divisions the operation might succeed.
While a landing elsewhere could have been done, perhaps with much better results, the problem is that landing in Alexandretta or elsewhere does not accomplish the goal of knocking the OE out of the war AND opening the Bosphorus/Black Sea route for supplying Russia. ...
Yes, that was the raison d'etre for OTL Gallipoli based upon Ottoman climb downs in the 19th century when faced with a loss of Constaninople.Odds are the Ottomam government asks for peace terms after losing Instambul, even just the European side. If not then, then after a follow up campaign into Asia minor. I cant see the OE staying in the war much past early 1916. Its cut off from its allies, and vulnerable at multiple strategic location. Time to cut the losses and seek peace.
Bernard Freyberg: Went on to win a V.C. Later in the war, commanded the New Zealand forces, including the defence / evacuation of Crete in WW11. Think he ended up as Governor General of New Zealand after WW11. - Have I got the right bloke ?