On February 16, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission posted the following message on its website:

"We are aware that a series of storms have hit Helles peninsula in Gallipoli and unfortunately V Beach Cemetery has suffered significant structural damage as this photograph shows. There is damage to the entrance plot containing special memorials which do not mark specific known burials. The cemetery is closed to the public and will remain closed until we can assess the damage and make the cemetery safe. More storms are expected in the area so this could take some time. Further updates will be provided as soon as more information becomes available."

Below are a series of photos taken on February 22 showing some of the damage to the cemetery. A number of special memorials commemorating men believed to be buried in the cemetery have subsided due to the shifting of the main front or southern wall overlooking the beach.

I have also uploaded a photo taken in 1925 showing the extent of the beach, and the distance from the water's edge to the cemetery wall 100 years ago. Over the following century, storms and erosion have moved the water's edge closer to the wall, ultimately resulting in the recent damage.

Visitors to the area should heed the Commission's warning and do not attempt to enter the cemetery, until after repair work has been completed. As an aside, I did not enter the cemetery to take these photos, they were obtained from outside the boundaries of the site, while using a camera and zoom lens.

The cemetery at V Beach at the southern end of the Gallipoli Peninsula is not the only area suffering from erosion and damage due to extreme weather. The retaining wall at Anzac Cove is also at risk, with some of the central section of the wall now canting over, as can be seen on the photo below. The image was also taken on February 22.