"In July 1915 Philomel was transferred back to the Red Sea, where it patrolled for arms smugglers and supported the British garrison at Aden. In late September Philomel landed a party with a machine gun as part of a force which repelled a Turkish advance to within 20 km of Aden. During their return to Aden three men succumbed to heatstroke and died. Two were New Zealanders – Chief Petty Officer George Phillips and Able Seaman Bruce Beagley, who both died on 29 September 1915. From the Red Sea Philomel was sent to the Persian Gulf, where it operated from November 1915 until early 1917. The ship’s main tasks were patrolling to intercept gun runners and German spies. It also protected trade, mediated between disputing Arab tribes and harassed Ottoman forces in Mesopotamia (Iraq). During this deployment New Zealander Victor Adlam died of suspected food poisoning in June 1916."

[nzhistory.govt.nz/war/hms-philomel. Retrieved 2/2/22]