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Our Committee is raising funds to create a lasting legacy telling the story of Lemnos' link to Gallipoli and Australia's Anzac story. Our projects include the Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial in Albert Park, the publication of a major new historical and pictorial publication and more. To make a donation you can also deposit directly by direct debit into the Committee's bank account: Account Name: Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee Inc; Bank: Bendigo Bank; Account No: 188010037; BSB No: 633000; Include your surname in the reference section. For further information on our legacy projects or to make a donation please contact either Lee Tarlamis 0411553009 or Jim Claven 0409402388M

Sunday 4 May 2014

Commonwealth War Graves Newsletter - Marks Gallipoli but no Lemnos!

East Mudros Military Cemetary. Lemnos. Photo Jim Claven. 2013


The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has issued its latest newsletter.
A key feature of the leaflet is a special new publication commemorating the Gallipoli campaign and the commemorative sites associated with it. You can  view the publication by clicking here.
While the leaflet is information and welcome, sadly it ignores the role of Lemnos, its three military cemeteries and the over 2,000 soldiers and nurses who served at Gallipoli .
This is yet another terrible oversight. and this by the official Commonwealth organisation whicg looks after and promotes remembrance of our Anzac heritage. It is a body funded by the whole Commonwealth, including Australia and New Zealand.
The Hon John Pandazopoulos MP has already emailed the Commonwealth War Graves Commission protesting this oversight. He has written:
"I write to you as a Member of Parliament, Parliament of Victoria Australia. I was disappointed to read of the 2015 Gallipoli campaign guide which is mentioned in the latest newsletter does not refer to the Island of Lemnos which has 2 Commonwealth War Cemeteries and was the supply, training, rest and medical base of the Gallipoli Campaign. 
It is historically inaccurate to refer to the Gallipoli campaign without reference to Lemnos. 
In Australia much of the emphasis is not only the battlefield sites but other important places in the campaign which 100 years after we should not forget- those who treated the thousands of sick and wounded, those that are buried away from the battlefield sites and those others who supported the campaign. 
I urge you to update the guide with reference to Lemnos at least under the 'Other Places' t itle. 
The CWGC has and continues to do great work in honouring our dead and interpreting sites that were important to our war dead and those that served. 
I look forward to your feedback."
If you would like to register your concern also the following link has a draft letter and addresses for you to send your email to:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission - Suggested Letter

To view the whole newsletter, click here.

Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee

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