Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee Inc: Remembrance Day 2018 at the Oakleigh Cenotaph

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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

Saturday, 10 November 2018

Remembrance Day 2018 at the Oakleigh Cenotaph

The Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee was invited by the Oakleigh-Carnegie RSL Sub-Branch to take part in their service held to commemorate Armistice Day 1918.
The service included a catafalque party (members of the Great War Re-enactment Society), the Oakliegh Band and wreath laying.
A very good speech was given by Oakleigh-Carnegie RSL President, Mr Douglas Pendergast. In his address Douglas pointed out that the Oakleigh District contributed one of the highest enlistments for WW1, with 10% of the then population of 4,800 joining up into the Australian Imperial Force. General John Monash praised the community for the service of its volunteers when he attended a fundraiser for the planned cenotaph in the 1920's. It was good to hear Douglas acknowledge the role of Lemnos and the Australian nurses who served there in his address.
The service was well attended with many members of the community, parliamentary, local government, local school and police attending. I was personally happy to meet visitors from my birthplace of Glasgow, one of whom was a service woman. I was wearing the medals of my maternal grandfather, Corporal John Dunnion who served on the Western Front with the Kings Own Scottish Borderers.
One feature of the service was the recognition of the role of France in WW1.

The Great War Re-enactment Society also expressed an interest in participating in the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee events - watch this space.
Our President Lee Tarlamis OAM and myself laid the wreath on behalf of our Committee. A number of members were also able to attend, including Mr John Salpigtidis and Mr Nikolaos Kydas.
The Oakleigh-Carnegie RSL has been a supporter of the work of our Committee for many years. Thanks to Douglas Pendergast, Ann and Jim Barker and all at the RSL for the invitation to participate in their great service.
Photos from the service are reproduced below: