Rembetika for the Anzacs - A Great Night!

Photo Jim Claven 2016

Last Thursday Melbourne's Achaean Community in association with the Greek Anzacs group organised a great function of music and displays in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the battle of Crete and Greece in 1941.

Photo Jenny Krasopoulaki 2016

Music was provided by Byron Triantafylidis and his ensemble. And the food and hospitality was excellent at White Rose Receptions in Thornbury.
Greek Anzacs supplied a photographic presentation highlighting some of the most memorable images from 1941, when the Anzacs came to defend Greece.

Photo Dina Gerolymou 2016

Each table was numbered with a card representing an Anzac unit or ship that served during the campaign - well done Paul Sougleris!

Photo Jim Claven 2016

 I supplied a photographic wall display at the entrance - featuring photographs of the Anzacs in Greece - from Lemnos and Thessaloniki, to Corfu and the mainland and Crete - across both world wars.

Ms Jenny Krasopoulakis looks at our display. Photo Jenny Krasopoulaki 2016

On behalf of the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee I set up an information table, with our lovely commemorative badges and posters for sale.
It was a very enjoyable night and much discussion was had on how we can continue to build awareness of the Hellenic link to Anzac throughout the community.

Cr Jim Grivokosopoulos with the 75th program. Photo Dina Gerolymou 2016

The program of events commemorating the 75th was also available on the night - showing that this is only the beginning of a year of important commemorations.
Below are some other photographs from the night.

Our great host for the night, Lee, on right! Photo Paul Sougleris 2016

Thanks to Lee Andrikopoulos and all involved for a great night.
Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee

Photo Jenny Krasopoulaki 2016

Photo Jim Claven 2016

Photo Jim Claven 2016

Photo Jim Claven 2016

Photo Jim Claven 2016

Forgotten Anzacs Launch - 6pm Wed 6th April - Book Now!

Come along and here historian Peter Ewer launch the new revised edition of his landmark, Forgotten Anzacs - The Campaign in Greece 1941.

Forgotten Anzacs is the history of the Australian and New Zealand troops who fought to defend Greece from Nazi invasion in 1941. This is a story with many angles – just two are the birth of a special relationship between Greeks, Australians and New Zealanders, and the historical significance of the campaign, not least because a genuine ANZAC force was formed when General Thomas Blamey announced on 12 April 1941 the formation of an Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, only the second time that famous term has ever been used in its literal meaning. 

First published in 2008, this substantially revised edition includes new research that sheds fresh light on the disastrous planning of the campaign, and a collection of photographs previously unpublished, a fitting tribute to mark this year’s 75^th anniversary of the fighting.  

To down load the ad for this event, click here.

Book your seat now for this important event.

When:          6pm, Wednesday 6th April 2016

Where:        Education Centre, The Shrine of Remembrance, Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne
RSVP:         by Wednesday 30 March 2016 - to lilly@scribepub.com.au

Jim Claven

Secretary 

Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee

 

75th Anniversary of the Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign - Commemorative Events Announced

The Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign Commemorative Council has released the program for the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of these campaigns across the coming year.
The Council brings together representatives of many community organizations from communities across Greece and beyond (from Crete, Thessaloniki, the Peloponnese and Cyprus to name a few), the Greek Consulate, the Greek Orthodox Community of Victoria and Melbourne, the Shrine, the RSL, politicians, interested individuals and historians. The Lemnos Gallipoli Commemroative Committee is represented by our President, Mr Lee Tarlamis. A number of other members of our Committee are also involved, including myself.

Anzacs with their Greek comrades in Athens, 1941. AWM

The program is comprehensive and includes formal commemorative events at the Shrine of Remembrance, as well as forma dinners, educational presentations at the Greek Centre and othervenues, book launches, musical and cultural events and veteran's lunches.
Three events that are scheduled over coming weeks are:

Music Concert
 The Achaean Federation of Victoria is hosting a Musical Concert titled “ Rembetika for the ANZACS ”featuring Byron Triantafylidis and his band on Thursday 24th March 2016, 7.00pm, White Rose Receptions, 725 High Street, Thornbury. For more information please call Lee Andrikopoulos on 0411729404

Book Launch - Peter Ewer's Forgotten Anzacs
The Shrine of Remembrance and the Battle of Crete & Greece Commemorative Council are hosting the Book Launch of Dr. Peter Ewer’s book titled the Forgotten ANZACS, Second edition on Wednesday 6th April, 6.00pm in the Auditorium of the Shrine Education Centre. For more information please contact Dr. Peter Ewer on 0419 514 939. To download the flyer for the launch, please click here.

Official Parade and Wreath Laying Ceremony
The Battle of Crete & Greece Commemorative Council is hosting the Official Parade and Wreath Laying Ceremony on Sunday 10th April, 12.00pm at the Forecourt of the Shrine of Remembrance. For more information please contact Mr. Tony Tsourdalakis on 0419856736

The Program
And much more. To download the full program, please click here.
Commemorating the Hellenic Link to Anzac - 1941 - 75th Anniversary
These events commemorate the service of the Second Anzacs - soldiers and nurses - who came to Greece in 1941 follwing in the footsteps of the first Anzacs in 1915. They fought on the Greek mainland and on Crete alongside our Greek allies. From Lemnos and Salonika in the First World War to the battles of 1941 and those of the resistance and liberation of Greece, this is the story of the Hellenic link to Anzac in the Second World War.

Anzacs and Greeks on the Acropolis, 1941. AWM

Anzacs and Greeks on Lemnos, 1915. AWM

Congratulations
The Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee congratulates the work of the Council in putting together this great program and successfully bringing together so many community organizations and interested individuals in support of the commemorating of the Anzac tradition in Greece in WW2. The charter of the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee is to build awareness of the Hellenic link to Anzac across both world wars. It is great to be able to assist the new Council in its important work.
Personally, I would particularly thank Tony Tsourdalakis for his work in encouraging the involvement of so many people and organizations and in preparing this impressive program.
This is a great initiative - congratulations!

We hope that this is only the beginning and will grow even bigger and better in coming years.

I urge you to view the program and endeavor to attend as many of these events as possible.

Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee

Brunswick Town Hall Roll of Honour - Lemnos Diggers and Nurses Honoured

Brunswick Town Hall Roll of Honour detail. Photo Jim Claven 2016.

Last weekend I had the good fortune to visit the Brunswick Town Hall. The entrance foyer is a magnificent memorial - in garnished wood and bronze - to all those who served and died in the First World War.
The Roll of Honour Memorial commemorates the over 500 local recruits who died in the war, along with many more who enlisted. The National Archives of Australia database records that nearly 1200 locals volunteered from the Brunswick area.
There are many familiar and less well known names amongst the names forged in bronze on this memorial. And there are diggers and nurses who came to Lemnos in 1915. This is yet another local connection to the Hellenic link to Anzac.
Brunswick's Lieutenant William John Symons VC - A Lemnos Veteran

Cigarette card in honour of Capt Symons, VC. AWM

One of these is Lieutenant William John Symons VC, who was awarded his Victoria Cross for his bravery at Jacob's Trench, Lone Pine, Gallipoli, 8th August 1915. He had been born in Eaglehawk in Bendigo in 1889, but by 1914 he was working as a commercial traveler and resident in Brunswick. He spent much of his spare time serving in the military before the war - 5 years in the 5th Battalion and 3 in the 60th battalion. He enlisted on 17th August 1914, and was allocated to the 7th Battalion and promoted to Colour Sergeant. He departed from Port Melbourne on SS Hororata on 18th October 1914.
Like many diggers at Gallipoli, William would spend time on Lemnos. From the 11th April until their departure for Anzac Cove on 24th-25th April, William and his battalion was at Lemnos. Landing at Anzac on 25th April, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant the day after, promoted to Lieutenant in July and Captain in May 1916. He returned to Australia briefly in 1916 - and was given a civic reception at Brunswick Town Hall - before departing for war a second time in June 1916 with the 37th Battalion as a company commander. He was mentioned-in-despatches for his service in France and survived the war. He died in 1948.

Brunswick Town Hall Roll of Honour detail. Photo Jim Claven 2016.

Brunswick's War Nurses
One of the aspects of the memorial that I noticed was the listing of a number of nurses.
Sister Alice Elisabeth Barrett Kitchen
The State Library of Victoria has a number of holdings in the Alice Kitchen Collection (MS 9627).
Alice trained as a nurse at Melbourne Hospital. Prior to the war she served in the Australian Army Nursing Service. Her address on enlistment was her mother Margaret's - 337 Sydney Road, Brunswick. She enlisted on 26 Sept. 1914, was promoted to sister.
Her diary records her service on the Hospital Ship Gascon, her regular stops at Lemnos' Mudros Bay conveying wounded and sick diggers from Gallipoli to Lemnos, Imbros, Malta and Alexandria.
She is quoted by the AWM as writing that of her experience of nursing during the war that "It is all too dreadful and every day we hear of someone we knew being killed or wounded."
Given the photograph contained in her collection held in the State Library reproduced below, Alice most likely spent some time on either Lemnos or Imbros.
She was repatriated to Australia on 28 Aug. 1919.

Lemnos or Imbros. Alice Kitcen collection, State Library of Victoria. Image Ref MS 9627PHO7.

Brunswick Town Hall Roll of Honour detail. Photo Jim Claven 2016.

Other nurses listed include the following, althouh none odf these served on Lemnos.
Staff Nurse E.R. Cecil
Edith Ruth Cecil was born in Carlton in 1881. She was trained as a nurse at St Vincent’s Hospital. She joined the Australian Army Nursing Service in October 1915 and served with the 1st Australian General Hospital at Heliopolis in Egypt. When she embarked from Australia, her address was given as the corner of Hunter and Daly Streets, West Brunswick. She also served in other medical facilities in Egpyt and in England and France. She returned to Australia in December 1918 and was discharged on 4th January 1919. After the war she worked at the Caulfield Military Hospital. She died in 1940.

Brunswick Town Hall Roll of Honour detail. Photo Jim Claven 2016.

Sister C.J. McAllister

Sister McAllister (third from left) with other nurses, India c1918. AWM

Charlotte Joan McAllister was born in Melbourne 1890. She enlisted in the AANS in September 1916, aged 26, and served in India and England. Her address when she embarked from Australia in December 1916 was 11 Charles Street, Brunswick. She was mentioned-in-despatches, returning to Australia in 1919. She was awarded the OBE in 1951 and died in 1987.

Brunswick Town Hall Roll of Honour detail. Photo Jim Claven 2016.

Sister S.J. Proctor
Sarah Jane Proctor was born in Stawell. She enlisted in the AANS in August 1915, aged 45, serving in France and England. When she departed Australia she was living in Brunswick. She returned to Australia in February 1919. She died in 1945, aged 76.

Brunswick Town Hall Roll of Honour detail. Photo Jim Claven 2016.

Sister H.E. Tait, Royal Red Cross 2nd Class
Helen Elisabeth Tait was born in Maffra in 1880. She trained at the Alfred Hospital. She enlisted in November 1914, aged 34 and served with the 1st Australian General Hospital in Egypt and on a hospital ship. She also served in France and England. Her address on embarkation from Australia was given as 54 Park Street West Brunswick. She returned to Australia in January 1919 and was appointed Matron of the Caulfield Military Hospital. She died in 1976. She was awarded the royal Red Cross 2nd Class for her "valuable service to the Armies in the Field."

Brunswick Town Hall Roll of Honour detail. Photo Jim Claven 2016.

Staff Nurse F. Willans
Florence Willans was born in Melbourne and lived at 111 Park Street, East Brunswick when she embarked from Australia in April 1917. She enlisted in April 1917, aged 28. She served on England and France, returning to Australia in April 1919.

Brunswick Town Hall Roll of Honour detail. Photo Jim Claven 2016.

The Brunswick Town Hall Roll of Honour is well worth a visit.

Brunswick Town Hall Roll of Honour detail. Photo Jim Claven 2016.

Brunswick Town Hall Roll of Honour detail. Photo Jim Claven 2016.

Sources consulted include the National Archives of Australia, AWM, the State Library of Victoria, Australian Nurses in WW1 website (http://nurses.ww1anzac.com/), Lionel Wigmore's They Dared Mightily (AWM, 1963) and Laurie Cunningham and Laura Donati's Our Anzacs - A Scrapbook of Brunswick during World War 1, (2014)

Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee

Skyros - Island of Refuge - OPA Magazine

A Skyriot wedding.

The Hellenic connection to Anzac touches many parts of Greece. From its mountains, the plains and valleys, across the Ionian and Aegean, to its many Islands, the Anzac's walked across WW1 and WW2. And these stories of Greeks and Anzac's are there to be told. 
Sitting on the edge of the northern Aegean, part of the Sporades group of islands, Skyros sits on the sea-road from mainland Greece to the Bosphorus and the Black Sea beyond. And it has been a place of war and refuge. Skyros is another part of Greece's Anzac trail.

Rupert Brooke

From Homer and Achilles, down to the Anzac's across the First and Second World War, Skyros has played its part as a place of refuge. It is the Island where the famous British soldier and war poet, Rupert Brooke (above), died and was laid to rest in the days before the landings at Gallipoli. And he was buried by an Anzac burial party.

Rupert Brooke's grave on Skyros

And it is where the locals - like so many others across Greece at great peril to themselves and their loved ones - aided escaping and evading Allied soldiers in the wake of the Axis invasion of Greece. One of those was East Malvern’s Warrant Officer Thomas Milton Boulter (below) who came to Skyros in June 1941.

Warrant Officer Milton Boulter, MM. AWM

See, read and download my article on Skyros from OPA! Magazine by clicking here.
Thanks to OPA! Magazine for publishing my article. To read the full edition of the magazine, click here.

Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee

Skyros and the Anzacs - Another Hellenic Connection

Read my article about the Greek Island of Skyros and the Anzacs across two world wars.
Beautiful Skyros was involved in the Gallipoli campaign, transport ships and troops who couldn;t be accommodated at nearby Lemnos sailing here and practiciing for the coming landings.
On Skyros lies Rupert Brooke, the war poet, buried by an Anzac burial party in 1915.
And the people of Skyros helped Anzacs and other Allied soldiers escpae the Germans in WW2.Read about how a digger from East Malvern was helped to escape the Germans by local villagers and fishermen.
Another Hellenic link to Anzac.
Thanks to Neos Kosmos for printing the story.
Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee

 

Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial Unveiling - New Article in RSL Mufti Magazine

The latest edition of the RSL Victorian Branch magazine - Mufti - carries the story of the unveiling of our Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial last August. And it is the feature image on their front cover.
For all of you who may not get Mufti, the article is reproduced below.

Thanks to Manny Karvelas, Senior Vice-President of the RSL Hellenic Sub Branch, on his wonderful article and images. Well done from all at the Committee.
 Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee

Greek National Day Celebrations in Melbourne - Hellenic Connection to Anzac Celebrated

Photo Jim Claven 2016

It was a great pleasure to attend today's celebrations of Greek National Day at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance.
And the celebrations included specific references to Lemnos' role in Anzac, the story of George Devine Treloar as well as the 75th anniversary of the Greece and Crete campaigns in 1941.
The feature of the celebrations is a march past official dignitaries by the many Greek Schools, Orthodox Church communities and the various community organisations - including those representing Crete, Epirus, Pontus, Kalamata, Achaia, Archadia, Papaflessia, Pantrifilia, Laconia, Cyprus and Pylos/Navarino - and many others.
Dignitaries included diplomatic representatives, representatives of the Federal Government and Opposition, representatives of the Victorian Government and Opposition (including Premier Daniel Andrews), Greek Orthodox Community and Church representatives, various local government representatives and many more.
It was great to be with so many groups committed to building awareness of the Hellenic link to Anzac across both World Wars and especially as we enter 2016 and the 75th anniversary of 1941.
The flags, colours and folkloric costumes were something to behold.

Photo Jim Claven 2016

The celebration took place in the shadow of the Shrine of Remembrance, honouring Australia's war dead and modeled on the Ancient Greek monument, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. And the large stone memorial dedicated to those who served in the Second World war, including a dedication to the Greece and Crete campaigns.

Photo Jim Claven 2016

And the parade passed the Weary Dunlop statue memorial, created by the Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial's Peter Corlett, OAM .It is often overlooked that Weary Dunlop served in the Greek campaign, being evacuated from Naflpio in the Peloponnese.
Many members of our Committee were present, including myself, Ange Kenos, Angelo Yannacaros, John Salpigtidis, Steve Kyritsis and many others.

The Hon Bill Shorten, Leader of the Opposition, addresses the crowd. Photo Jim Claven 2016

Amongst the addresses made by dignitaries, the Hon Bill Shorten, Leader of the Opposition, made specific reference to the role of Lemnos in the Gallipoli campaign, the nurses who served there and those who remain in its cemeteries.

Whittlesea Cr Mary Lalios (left) and Paul Sougleris (right), proudly wearing his 1941 Greek Day badge. Photo Jim Claven 2016

Paul Sougleris of the Pammessinian's and Greek Anzacs and myself discussed the origins of Greek Day celebrations in Australia and the various events planned to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the campaigns in 1941.

John Salpigtidis with Colonel John Wertheimer. Photo Jim Claven 2016

Along with Mr John Salpigtis, of the Pontiaki Estia and the George Devine Treloar Memorial Committee, I was able to discuss the proposed memorial to be erected in Ballarat with Shrine Trustee, Colonel John Wertheimer, AM RFD.
Below are images from the day.
Jim Claven
Secretary 
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee 

Photo Jim Claven 2016

Photo Jim Claven 2016

Mannningham Cr Jim Grivoskotopoulos, a member of the day's organising committee.  Photo Jim Claven 2016

Photo Jim Claven 2016

The Achaian Federation contingent. Photo Jim Claven 2016

Litsa Athanasiadis (centre) and the Pontiaki Estia contingent. Photo Jim Claven 2016

The Panllaconian contingent. Photo Jim Claven 2016

Me with some of my Pontiaki Estia friends. Photo Jim Claven 2016

The Navarino contingent, my good friend George Iliopoulos at right. Photo Jim Claven 2016

The Pan-Archadian contingent. Photo Jim Claven 2016

Photo Jim Claven 2016

The Hellenic Women's Federation of Victoria contingent, with Vaso from the Thessaloniki Association third from left. Photo Jim Claven 2016

Photo Jim Claven 2016

Photo Jim Claven 2016