Centenary of Armistice of Mudros commemorate at Melbourne's Icon Shrine of Remembrance

Opening slide from my presentation.

Amidst the classical columns and architectural features of Melbourne’s iconic Shrine of Remembrance yesterday witnessed the commemoration of the centenary of the Armistice of Mudros.
The service was organized by the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee as a new addition to the Shrine’s annual program of commemorations. This service was the first of what will be an annual event. The service was preceded by an historical presentation in the Shine Education Centre by myself, in which I explained in words and pictures the story of the negotiation of the Armistice and its significance.

Promotional poster for the Armistice presentation at the Shrine. Photo Michael Claven 2018

Jim Claven delivers his presentation at the Shrine Education Centre. Photo Lee Tarlamis 2018

Jim Claven delivers his presentation at the Shrine Education Centre. Photo Ann Bendouli 2018

To read my presentation, please click here.
The service in the Sanctuary featured with the laying of wreaths and the reading of the Ode, culminating at noon, the exact hour one hundred years ago that the Armistice came into effect.
At this time, the guns fell silent across the various battlefronts of the Ottoman Empire – from Syria and Mesopotamia, to Thrace and the waters of the northern Aegean. The First World War was now over for hundreds of thousands of soldiers – including thousands of Australian soldiers, sailors, airmen and nurses – and thousands of Allied prisoners of war would being to make their way home.
What better location for such a service, recognizing this important but little known part of the Hellenic link to Australia’s Anzac story. As we remembered the signing of the Armistice aboard the great British warship HMS Agamemnon – named after Homer’s great Achaean King who had besieged Troy – we looked up at the classical columns and reliefs of the Shrine, based as it is on the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus.

The Armistice of Mudros commemorative service in the Sanctuary of the Shrine. Photo Roma Siachos 2018

Jim Claven lays the wreath on behalf of the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee, Photo Roma Siachos 2018

The central stone in the Sanctuary. Photo Roma Siachos 2018

The service in the Shrine Sanctuary. Photo Michael Claven 2018

Murray Thompson MP prepares to lay a wreath on behalf of the Victorian Opposition. Photo Ange Kenos 2018

Steve Kyritsis lays a wreath on behalf of the RSL Hellenic Sub-Branch. Photo Ange Kenos 2018

Wade Noonan MP lays a wreath on behalf of the Victorian Government. Photo Ange Kenos 2018

The service in the Shrine Sanctuary. Photo Michael Claven 2018

Dimitris Michalopoulos, Consul General of the Hellenic Republic lays a wreath on behalf of the Hellenic Republic. Photo Roma Siachos 2018

The service recognized the role of the Island of Lemnos and its great Mudros Bay as the location for the signing of the Armistice between the Allies and the Ottoman Empire, an Island that had played a key role in the Gallipoli campaign in 1915. And so now in 1918 a great Allied fleet comprising ships of many nations – including Australia and Greece – sailed through the Dardanelles Straits and on to occupy the Ottoman capital, Constantinople. While coming years would see the eruption of further conflict and culminate in the Asia Minor catastrophe, the Armistice was nevertheless a significant step in the ending of the First World War across the region and another Hellenic link in Australia’s Anzac story.
Myself, Mr Dimitris Michalopoulos, Consul General of the Hellenic Republic and Mr Lee Tarlamis, OAM, President of the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee, addressed those in attendance in the Sanctuary.

Jim Claven gives his address in the Sanctuary. Photo Nikoloas Kydas 2018

Lee Tarlamis OAM gives his address in the Sanctuary. Photo Nikoloas Kydas 2018

Dimitrios Michalopoulos, Consul General of the Hellenic Republic, gives his address in the Sanctuary. Photo Nikoloas Kydas 2018

Lee noted that on this day we commemorate the service of all service men and women of all the nations who fought across the Middle East and beyond, from Syria to Mesopotamia, and from Thrace to the shores of the Aegean, those who died and those who were wounded, their loved ones at home, and we acknowledge the upheavals and sorrows experienced by millions of civilians across the region.
To read Lee Tarlamis' speech in the Shrine Sanctuary, please click here.
To read Jim Claven's speech in the Shrine Sanctuary, click here.
To read the Order of Service for the Commemoration, click here.
The event was well attended. The event was particularly honoured to have in attendance two descendents of service personnel who had served on Lemnos during the First World War. Ms Mary-Anne Gourley is the grand-daughter of Lieutenant Commander Lieghton Bracegirdle, DSO and Three Mentioned-in-Despatches (MiD) who commanded the 1st Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train throughout the Gallipoli campaign. Ms Judith Gunnarsson is the daughter of Sister Evelyn Hutt who served on Lemnos with the 3rd Australian General Hospital also during the Gallipoli campaign.

Ms Mary-Anne Gourley at the service. Photo Ange Kenos 2018

Dignitaries included the Consul General of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Dimitrios Michalopoulos, as well as Mr. Wade Noonan MP and Mr. Murray Thompson MP representing the Victorian Government and Opposition respectively, as well as former MP Bruce Mildenhall. The RSL was represented by Mr. Marcus Fielding of the Victorian Branch, Col (Ret) Jan McCarthy ARRC of the Nurses Sub-Branch, Mr. Steve Kyritsis OAM of the Hellenic Sub-Branch and Mr. Ange Kenos of the Essendon Sub-Branch. Ms Arlene Bennett represented Melbourne’s Nurses Memorial Centre.

Dimitris Michalopoulos, Consul General of the Hellenic Republic (centre), with from left – Jim Claven, Ann Bendouli, Murray Thompson MP, Lee Tarlamis OAM and wade Noonan MP. Photo Roma Saichos 2018

Murray Thompson MP (left) and Steve Kyritsis (centre). Photo Ange Kenos 2018

Bruce Mildenhall (right) with Wade Noonan MP. Photo Ange Kenos 2018

Many of members of Melbourne’s Hellenic community were present. The Lemnian Community of Victoria was represented by Ms Ann Bendouli and Ms Sofia Siderellis. Ms Natasha Spanos of Oakliegh Grammar was represented by Ms Natasha Spanos, accompanied by two students, Alexander Logan and Floria Takos. The Greek Orthodox Community of Dandenong and Districts Greek School was represented by Mrs. Vassiliki Lambropoulos and Mrs Eleni Balkani.

Students Alexander Logan and Floria Takos with Natasha Spanos, all of Oakleigh Grammar. Photo Ange Kenos 2018

Representatives of the Greek Orthodox Community of Dandenong and Districts Greek School. Photo Ange Kenos 2018

Mr. Tarlamis thanked all of those who attended the event and those who assisted in its organization, including Col (Ret) Jan McCarthy who read the Ode, Mr. Allan Leggett our piper, Mr. Ange Kenos, President of the Essendon RSL, our flag bearer and the Lemnian Community of Victoria for providing the refreshments. He also thanked the Shrine of Remembrance and its staff for both allowing the event and for assisting on the day, in particular Squadron Leader Steve Campbell-Wright, Ms Leonie Pratt, Mr. Dale Capron, Ms Leigh Gilburt and Ms Shirley Devery.

Members and friends of the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee in the Shrine Sanctuary, including Judith Gunnarsson (second from right) and Arlene Bennett (third from right). Photo Ange Kenos 2018

Piper Alan Leggett performs at the Shrine. Photo Lee Tarlamis 2018

Lee Tarlamis OAM and Jim Claven with Col (Ret) Jan McCarthy, ARRC. Photo Ange Kenos 2018

Malcolm and Flora Macdonald (right and second from right). Photo Ange Kenos 2018

Despina Leggett (right). Photo Ange Kenos 2018

Virginia (left) and Michael Claven (right) with Jim Claven. Photo Lee Tarlamis 2018

Next Year
The Committee looks forward to its next Armistice of Mudros commemoration, which is scheduled to be held in the Shrine Sanctuary at 11.45 on 31st October 2019, and hopes that many will be able to attend this function and those into the future.

Photo Michael Claven 2018

Armistice of Mudros Commemoration on Lemnos
The Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee has also been assisting the authorities on Lemnos with their services commemorating the centenary of the Armistice of Mudros which will be held in early November. Ms Christina Despoteris, Vice-President of the Committee is representing the Committee at these commemorations. The program for these events can be downloaded here.
Committee member Terry Kanelos will also be attending these services, representing the RSL Hellenic Sub-Branch.

Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee