I am the grandson of Stanley Holm Watson, CBE, DSO, MC, ED (1887 – 1985). Stan landed on Anzac Cove early on the morning of 25th April 1915 and he was the second last man to leave that Cove, followed only by the Beach-master. On landing he had the hazardous task of establishing and maintaining the various telephone systems in the face of heavy bombardment. Once they had been triplicated, he built Watson’s Pier, the first of a number of more serviceable piers. It was under enemy artillery observation from Gabe Tepe and its neighbours and was one of the most heavily shelled piers in the history of the war. His steadfastness in danger led to his appointment to control the signals net covering that highly successful withdrawal. For his services at Anzac he was awarded the Order of the White Eagle of Serbia.
It was in retracing my grandfathers footsteps over ten years ago, especially those related to his time on the Gallipoli peninsula, that my family and I first met TJ and his wife Bernina, with an introduction through a mutual friend. At the time TJ was researching the history of the Anzacs at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra while on his annual visits to Australia to catch up with his wife’s family in Corowa (with whom they have strong ties). We were impressed by TJs professionalism and genuineness and were only too happy to share some time and provide him with some of my grandfather’s history and memorabilia.
We managed to keep in touch with both TJ and Bernina over the years and then in 2005 I was invited to be the guest speaker at the 90th Anniversary of the Royal Australian Engineering Corp Waterloo Dinner, which was held for the first time since 1915 at Cannakkale in Turkey and included a tour of Anzac Cove and the Gallipoli peninsula. This provided us with the opportunity to catch up with TJ and Bernina and also to witness TJs professionalism and service in practice.
TJ and Bernina provided us with all the necessary background information to plan our visit and helped us to develop our itinerary. This included the opportunity to stay at their new hotel in Eceabat and to see TJ and Bernina “on the job”. In addition to witnessing the five star service, we met and shared with a number of TJ’s clients who had participated in one or another aspects of TJ’s Tour service. All without exception, treated TJ with the highest respect and clearly valued their experience. TJ made a significant contribution to the success of our visit to the Gallipoli peninsula and Anzac Cove.
Subsequently, we have met a number of friends who coincidentally had also benefited from TJ’s Tours and with all he was highly recommended. In particular, one could ask for no higher recommendation of TJ’s Tours than that provided by Tony Wright in his comprehensive book on the Anzac experience “Turn right at Istanbul – A walk on the Gallipoli peninsula”.
   Yours faithfully
   William (Bill) D Watson
   7 February 2006

My name is Martin Scott Edwards, I am a creative director, part time historian, and proud Australian. As you already know Ilhami is married to an Australian, Bernina, and together they run 'TJ's Tours', a hostel and tour group adjacent the Gallipili battlefields, in Eceabat, Turkey.
What is significant is that Ilhami ('TJ') is not only linked to Australia through marriage, and frequent presence on Australian soil, but also significantly as an ambassador for Australia, on what is arguably the single most significant 'Australian' landmark outside Australian shores. Thousands of Australians that are privileged enough to visit Gallipoli each year do so under TJ's expert guidance. TJ handles his tours with a deep-rooted belief, interest, and thorough understanding of the events and mateship that that helped forge Australia's identity in itself and on the world stage. TJ augments his local knowledge with frequent research work in Australia when visiting with his Australian family.
TJ's tours also contributes significantly to the organisation and running of local Anzac Day celebrations, and lobbys for all causes that are in the Australian national interest in keeping Gallipoli a preserved and respected physical part of Australian culture and history.
The Gallipoli experience would not be what it is to so many individual visitors without TJ and Bernina's true empathy, hospitality and generosity.
I have no hesitation in recommending to you Ilhami Gezici.
   Best regards
   Scott Edwards
   NAKED ARMY Jan 12th 2006

I have known TJ (Ilhami Gezici), for approximately 4 years. I have met him several times in Australia and have felt his hospitality in Turkey. I have found that not only is TJ’s personality of the highest quality, his knowledge of the Gallipoli campaign is outstanding. His knowledge of the events and people involved on both sides is extensive and balanced. TJ has dedicated his life to becoming an expert on Gallipoli. I have personally accompanied him on trips in Australia conducting research to see the home of the youngest person at Gallipoli (in Tocumwal). TJ’s years of experience conducting tours of the battlefields on the Gallipoli peninsula have given him unprecedented access to historians visiting the area and veterans relating their personal experiences. He is a tremendous national resource and I value his friendship.
   Yours sincerely,
   Mark Carter
   10th January 2006

My name is Katrina Carter and I have known Ilhami Gezici for nearly 10 years.
I first met Ilhami in 1996. He was operating as a guide in the Gallipoli region in Turkey. Ilhami’s guiding was excellent. He was able to recount a vast amount of history in a day’s tour of the battle grounds. Ilhami’s knowledge of the World War I battles at Gallipoli allowed me and the other tourists an insight into our history. This enabled me to get a sense of what our nation calls the ‘ANZAC spirit’ and what all Australians value – ‘mateship’.
This is a real service to Australia and to all Australians, particularly the younger generations that are not fortunate enough to have any of the old diggers still living amongst us now. Indeed, this understanding of our nation’s history, is of paramount importance for our own identities as Australians.
Since first meeting Ilhami, I have been fortunate enough to share my experience with my mother and 2 family friends whom I took over in 2002. Ilhami had obviously been continually studying, for his knowledge had increased immeasurably over the time. Ilhami’s tour was once again moving and informative.
I have since returned again to visit Ilhami and taken my husband, my mother in law and 2 other friends to share in the experience.
Going over to Gallipoli and having a guide as knowledgeable about both histories during the Gallipoli campaign (Turkish and Australian) has enabled me to better grasp my own identity as an Australian.
   Yours sincerely
   Katrina Carter
   9th January 2006

I have been serving as a commissioned officer in the British Army since 1997 and for nine years before this in the Australian Army. Since 1999 I have been leading groups of British servicemen on battlefield tours of the Gallipoli Peninsula. In this time I have always engaged the services of Ilhami to facilitate these trips. His services have always been first class. His enthusiasm and devotion for Gallipoli is self evident. His willingness to assist all who visit, particularly the countless Australians who pass through, is, I believe, unsurpassed in his field. He is selfless, utterly sincere and entirely reliable in all that he does. In my view, he has made the visits to Gallipoli for many Australians, and other nationalities, a truly remarkable experience.
As a regular private visitor to Gallipoli I have also come to know Ilhami and Bernina, his wife, on a personal level as well, and I consider myself fortunate to count them both among my good friends.
I have absolutely no hesitation in commending Ilhami to anyone or organisation.
   Yours faithfully,
   J W CLEVERLY
   15th August 2005

In early 1997 we attended their wedding in Cannakale at the Anafartalor Hotel and in late 1999 they attended our wedding in Adelaide, South Australia.
We recomend TJ and his tours/hostel to friends of ours heading to Turkey. His fluent English, warm personality, sense of humour and knowledge of Gallipoli make him the ideal person to convey what our ancestors endured during World War 1. TJ also helps Australians with travel concerns like lost passports, police matters, language barriers etc.
We feel privileged to consider TJ and Bernina good friends of ours and they are welcome in our home anyday.
Australia should feel privileged to have TJ as an Australian Citizen and thank him for the work he does for Australians overseas.
   Yours sincerely
   Greg and Melinda Smith

My wife and I have both travelled extensively and were lucky enough in April 2002 to travel to Turkey. In particular we were interested in touring the Gallipoli peninsular and attending the dawn service for ANZAC Day there.
This is where we first met Ilhami and his wife Bernina. We stayed at their guest house in Eceabat, Turkey. After the service Ilhami provided an excellent tour to my wife and I, along with a group of others staying at his guesthouse. This tour extensively covered the history of the Anzacs, the fighting at Gallipoli and the relationships that have developed over time between Australia and Turkey while touring the key sites on the peninsular.
Having actually lived on the Gallipoli peninsular all his life, Ilhami provided us with amazing stories passed down from his grandfather along with tidbits of information about the area and his own experiences having given tours of the area over countless years. When combined, his relatable personality and excellent Aussie twang made him a perfect mix of the two nationalities – the perfect tour guide.
Ilhami provides a truly educational service to those Australians who travel to Gallipoli for the dawn service, and in fact at anytime of the year to understand what happened at Gallipoli and why it is so important to millions of Australians.
   Kind Regards,
   Kumar Thaivarayan

My wife and I recently returned from a backpacking holiday in Turkey, where we stayed in Eceabat, TJs Hostel and went on the Gallipoli tour with them. In all respects they were first rate.
TJ & B (as they are known) manage TJs Hostel and run TJs Travel agency. TJ, a Turkish born male is passionate about Gallipoli, knows his battle history exceptionally well and provides an excellent tour of the Anzac area. His wife, B; an Australian lady runs the Travel side of things and works long hours assisting holiday makers, and ensuring their time in Gallipoli is incident free and enjoyable.
The Hostel is clean, well equipped, centrally located in town, and has excellent staff assisting TJ & B with all the travel assistance we needed to get us down the Turkish coast. Their hospitality and professionalism was beyond reproach.
I really believe many Australians would welcome this sort of help to make their Gallipoli pilgrimage a time to remember.
    Neil Walker BM
    May 28, 2000