I'm sure your Granddaddy was right....he had only done what his fellow sailors would have done. But that still makes him a hero in my book & I'm sure yours as well. Real hero's never admit to it.
I have heard of Gallipoli & even started to watch once when it was on tv. Ya know I think I'll go rent it a watch it this weekend. Thank you for sharing your Grandfather's history Ciexyz. Hope your weekend is lovely!
After the war, Granddad suffered lung problems due to the fact he was exposed to gas below decks (when he went below decks to help out a fellow sailor and get him safely up top.) Granddad chalked it up to wartime duty and bad luck, he figured that's just how it turned out for him, that at least he came home alive.
Granddad passed away in 1969. I'll be putting flowers on his grave (and Grandma's grave) for Easter.