Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee Inc: Fall of Singapore commemorative service - Ballarat National POW Memorial Ceremony

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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

Wednesday 15 February 2017

Fall of Singapore commemorative service - Ballarat National POW Memorial Ceremony - 15 February 2017

Photo Jim Claven 2017

Yesterday it was an honour to attend the fall of Singapore commemorative service held at the National POW Memorial at Ballarat. This was to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the surrender of Allied forces in Singapore in February 1942.Myself, along with Committee Vice-President Christina Despoteris, Committee members George Petrou and John Salpigtidis, attended the service.

Some of the veterans and former POW's who attended yesterdays event, pictured with the Governor General of Australia, Peter Cosgrove. Photo Jim Claven 2017

It was also an opportunity to catch up with veteran and former POW, Bill Rudd, who was landed in Greece during WW2 after his POW ship was attacked and nearly sunk off Methone and Pylos. Amongst the other POW's present was Norm Maddock, a proud trade unionist and a veteran of the Greek campaign.
One Digger from the Memorial Wall
I took the opportunity to find the name of one digger who was captured on Crete in 1941, He was Private Gordon McGrath, from NSW who joined up in Wangaratta. He is connected to my sister-in-law's sister, Beth McGrath in Albury. Beth's husband was his brother. More to come on Gordon's story.
Below are some photos of the memorial wall, highlighting Gordon's name: