Lemnos & Gallipoli Revealed – A Pictorial History of the Anzacs in the Aegean 1915-16 - Released

The Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee is proud to announce its publication of historian Jim Claven’s major new definitive account of Greece’s role in Australia’s Gallipoli story.
The Committee commissioned Mr Claven to write and prepare this important new addition to the literature linking Australia and Greece. The Committee is excited by this essential and long over-due addition to the literature of Australia’s Gallipoli story and to the link between Australia and Greece.
The 350 page larger format book features lavish reproductions of over 300 photographs taken by the Anzacs themselves as they came to Lemnos’ shores in 1915-16 during the Gallipoli campaign, the vast majority of which have never before been published.
The photographs reveal the intimate nature of this coming together of Australians and Greeks for the first time on Greek soil. They capture the arrival of the Anzacs on Lemnos, the transformation of the Island into an armed camp, the establishment of its soldiers’ rest camps, field hospitals and supply bases and other infrastructure.

But most importantly they reveal the interaction of these young Australians with local villagers - locals being tended in the Australian hospitals, the Anzacs traversing the Island visiting its kafenios, thermal baths, local churches and villages.

Photograph from the collection of Corporal Albert Savage, Fryer Library, University of Queensland.

These photographs are accompanied by over 180 pages of historical text, telling the story of Lemnos' role in the Gallipoli campaign and the campaigns impact on the Island and its people, as well as the Island's impact on the service personnel who came there.
These historical essays place the phototraphs in context, using the words of the diggers and nurses themselves, including Matron Grace Wilson and Staff Nurse Lucy Daw of the 3rd Australian General Hospital and many more, describing in their own words how they experienced this beautiful Aegean island of relative peace in a sea of war. In these letters, diaries and memoirs, the Anzacs wrote of their experience of Greece and their affection for the villagers who welcomed them.

Photograph from the collection of Staff Nurse Evelyn Hutt, State Library of Victoria.

The book also tells the story of the war cemeteries that were created on Lemnos, of the young Australians buried there, and how this Anzac legacy has been remembered in both countries.

And it features original maps (see above), drawn by the author, revealing the key sites connected with the Anzacs on Lemnos during the Gallipoli campaign. The book’s reproduction of historic images is enhanced by the inclusion of some of Mr Claven’s contemporary full colour photographs of Lemnos and its Anzac connection.
A trained historian with both Bachelor and Masters Degrees from Melbourne’s Monash University, Mr Claven brings a wealth of experience to the project. He has been researching the Hellenic link to Anzac since 2011, combining academic research with extensive field trips to the sites connected with the Anzacs on Lemnos, Imbros, Tenedos as well as Gallipoli itself and beyond.

Mr Claven with descendants of Matron Grace Wilson of the 3rd Australian General Hospital, near the site of its location in 1915-16, during the Centenary of Anzac commemorations on Lemnos in April 2015.

He has already published many articles (including in the Melbourne Shrine’s Remembrance magazine, the State Library of Victoria’s La Trobe Journal, the UK's Gallipolian and that of the Hellenic Navy in Greece). He has delivered many presentations on the topic – from the Athens War Museum, on Lemnos and throughout Australia.
The book is priced at $80 (plus postage and packaging), with proceeds from the sale being dedicated to furthering the Committee’s work in commemorating the Hellenic link to Anzac, including creating Lemnos’ Gallipoli Heritage Trail.

Book Presentation at the Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial Event

The book is now available, after its presentation as part of the recent Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial commemorative service held on Saturday 10th August 2019 at Lemnos Square, Albert Park.

Media Reports

Click here to listen to my interview (in both the Greek and English language) about the book with SBS Radio's Pano Apostolou.

Click here to read a short article on the book (here) and my interview about the book with Eugenia Pavlopoulou from Neos Kosmos (here), in the Greek language. And here is another story in Neos Kosmos on the book.

Recommendations

“… An authoritative and well-researched history of this important but little appreciated aspect of Australia's Anzac story, vividly brought to life in the photographs and words of the Anzacs themselves. Highly recommended...” - Dr Peter Ewer, author Forgotten Anzacs (2016)

“… Reveals the story of Lemnos and the Anzacs in all its aspects, from the ships assembled in Mudros Bay, through the field hospitals and rest camps established on the island, to the meeting of these young Australians with their local hosts. … a beautiful photographic history.” - Colonel Jan McCarthy (Ret), ARRC, President of the Returned Nurses Sub-Branch, RSL (Victorian Branch), pictured below with Albert Savage's iconic photograph of the Australian nurses arriving on Lemnos in August 1915 behind her.

"Many thanks for the copy of your splendid book. I'm very impressed by the quality of the text and images. As a historian, I'm delighted to see the breadth of coverage, opening up so many aspects of the social and cultural history that are often lacking in most service and war histories. The photos are wonderful documents." - Mr Michael Bennett, Emeritus Professor of History, School of Humanities, University of Tasmania, who assisted the author in locating Olive Pink's portrait of Private Peter Rados.

"Having a great time looking through the book. What an achievement! You should be very proud." - Rosemary Dwyer (below), family of Matron Grace Wilson of the 3rd Australian General Hospital, Lemnos, whose diary entries feature in the book.

"The book looks amazing, a real quality production that you should rightfully be proud of." - initial comment.

"This book, beautifully produced in a lavish larger format design, tells the important story of the Aegean Island of Lemnos' role in the Gallipoli campaign. A well-researched and fascinating study, the book includes chapters that include Lemnos before the Gallipoli landings, the way it was transformed into a base, the medical aspects, Sarpi Rest Camp, evacuation and the final departure after Gallipoli, except for those that remain buried in one of the island's Commonwealth War Grave Commission cemeteries.
Each chapter is richly illustrated with a wonderful collection of rare photographs. By these powerful images are cameo essays, and a narrative that concentrates on the words of mainly Australian soldiers and nurses’ that have been collected from letters, memoirs and diaries from those who experienced this beautiful Aegean island in the midst of war.
The book vividly reveals the role played by the Island; the experiences of patients from the Lemnos hospitals, an insight into the locals and their villages, and where soldiers ‘rested’ away from the fighting on the Gallipoli Peninsula. Of all the books I have read this year, Lemnos & Gallipoli Revealed, is most certainly at the top end of that list.
What looks like a life’s passion, this book is a must for all interested in the history of Gallipoli, Lemnos and the part Greece played in this part of the Aegean. By producing this book, Jim Claven and the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee have not only done the island proud but have helped keep the legacy of our forebears alive! Highly recommended." - review for Gallipoli Association journal
 
 - Stephen Chalmers, Gallipoli Association (UK) and co-author of Gallipoli: The Dardanelles Disaster in Soldiers' Words and Photographs (2015).

"Congratulations on your beautifully written and produced book. We are very grateful to have a copy in the Fryer Library."- Stephen Farley, Fryer Library, University of Queensland, repository of the Florence Elizabeth James-Wallace photographic collection.

"An outstanding and thoroughly researched book on Lemnos-Gallipoli with many of my grandmothers photographs. Thanks Jim." Deb Stewart, granddaughter of Staff Nurse Evelyn Hutt of the 3rd Australian General Hospital, Lemnos, 1915-16. Deb is pictured below (right) with Judith Gunnarsson, daughter of Evelyn Hutt)

"What a fantastic job you have done with the book Lemnos and Gallipoli Revealed. I must also say how well the photos have turned out, knowing how long ago they were taken and the technology that was used at the time." - Gil Daw, descendant of Staff Nurse Lucy Daw of the 3rd Australian General Hospital, Lemnos, 1915-16, whose diary features in the book. The photograph below is from Lucy's collection and shows her with other nurses in Portianou on Lemnos during the Gallipoli campaign.

"Your beautiful book arrived today. It is magnificent and I can't wait to read it. The photos are wonderful." - Stephen Lee, descendant of Staff Nurse Mary McIlroy of the 3rd Australian General Hospital, Lemnos, 1915-16, some of whose photographs feature in the book.

“This book is a fascinating, diligent and beautifully presented read featuring many unique photographs and personal accounts of the deep and vital involvement that the Greek island of Lemnos had in the Gallipoli Campaign. I am proud to have it on my bookshelves” - Sarah Kellam, Granddaughter to William John Symons VC (Lone Pine) and Honorary Secretary to the Gallipoli Association (UK).

"A few days ago, Mrs Helen Constas, a Greek-Australian, (on behalf of the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee) handed me a copy of the excellent book "Lemnos & Gallipoli Revealed" written by the friend of Lemnos – and I believe my personal friend – historian Jim Claven, which focuses on the role of Lemnos at the Gallipoli Campaign during World War I. First of all, let's make it clear that this book is a scientific work, which is clearly evident both in its structure and in the author's very detailed index of sources. Also note that its publication and immediate acceptance by the libraries of both Australia and many of the countries involved, is a huge success for the Committee, chaired by the Lemnian origin Mr Lee Tarlamis. As the author mentions in the introduction of the book “…. the history and role of Lemnos in the Gallipoli Operation has rarely been told in a comprehensive way… .. it often emerges through occasional reports…. is revealed by one or two photos hidden among many others ... ". This book comes to fill this gap through the recording of events, the personal stories of people who took part in the events and, of course, thanks to the excellent choice of photographs from this period along with modern ones. ... I hope soon a way can be found to get it from local bookstores." - Dimitris Boulotis, former Deputy Mayor of Lemnos, who has asissted the author in confirming the locations of various sites on Lemnos connected to the Anzacs, pictured below at right, with Ms Helen Constas in the middle, at Myrina on Lemnos, beneath the Castle.

"Thank you so much for sending me your beautiful book." - Gillian Ward, author of Olive Pink: Artist Activist, Gardener - A life in Flowers (2018), who located Olive's drawing of Private Peter Rados.

"The Lemnos & Gallipoli book contains rich, rare photographs and stories. Through this material one sees this period come to life. This important period of history told by the soldiers and nurses, as well as the area inhabitants. Jim Claven writes of the soldiers who fought and died during the campaign, as well as the nurses who worked in adverse conditions and save the lives of so many. I appreciate the author's narrative in describing the daily lives of everyone involved in this conflict. It is an honor our island of Lemnos hosted such an army, in a difficult time during the 20th century. This important book is a wonderful reference on the human condition during such an important conflict that is all but basically lost to the sands of time. A good book for the person who yearns to learn about such an important and influential battle." - Liza Koutsaplis, Lemnian-born archival photograph collector who assisted the author in his field research on Lemnos. Pictured below in Athens.

"WOW, your book is going from strength to strength – and well deserved as it evidences the nuances and sensitive personal insights of our shared modern history with Greece, and in particular, Lemnos. Congratulations from Effy and myself. We cannot be with you in person when the Victorian Premier launches your book, but our support and congratulatory thoughts will certainly be circulating amongst the throng attending the event." - Leonard Janiszewski, Historian/Curator Modern History, Macquarie University, author of Greek Cafes & Milk Bars of Australia.

"I would like to thank you warmly for your generosity in providing us with a copy of "Lemnos & Gallipoli Revealed" by historian Jim Claven. We are certain that this publication will shed more historical light and indeed reveal the connection between Australia's Anzac story and Greece and specifically the island of Lemnos. We would welcome any press material you might wish to provide us in order that we may also contribute to the promotion of this worthy publication, through our social media." - Christos Karras, Consul General of the Hellenic Republic, Sydney.

"Thank you so much for sending me a copy of Lemnos & Gallipoli Revealed. It is truly magnificent and is a testament to the work undertaken by the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee and especially you and Jim. I have passed it on to our Local History Librarian who was delighted to be able to include it in our Local History Collection." - Ms Sandra Khazam of the City of Port Phillip, on the presentation of the book to the Council, our partners in the erection of the Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial in Albert Park, Melbourne.

And our Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial nurse also recommends the book!

Photo Jim Claven 2019

The Book is Now Available to Researchers Across Australia and the World

Our book is now available in a range of libraries and archives across Australia and the world, as an aid to researchers, students and members of the public, building awareness of the Hellenic link to the Gallipoli campaign and Australia's Anzac story. Some examples of its location are listed below.

The book is now part of the Australian War Memorial's great collection, which contains one of the largest collections of photographs of the Australian involvement on Lemnos during the Gallipoli campaign, with one iconic photograph of the only marriage conducted during the campaign - that of Staff Nurse Clarice Daley and Sergeant Ernest Lawrence, both of Melbourne, on Lemnos in 1915 - pictured below.

The book progressively being added to the National Library of Australia as well as various State Library's across Australia, from Melbourne to Adelaide, Perth to Darwin. This will be a great aid to the general public and researchers.

National Library of Australia, Canberra.

Victorian State Library, Melbourne.

Flinders University, Adelaide.

Western Australian State Library, Perth.

South Australian State Library, Adelaide.

Northern Territory Library, Darwin.

Charles Sturt University Library, Bathurst.

Eddie Koiki Mabo Library, James Cook University, Townsville

The book is also available in the Victorian and NSW State Parliamentary Library's, ensuring that more of our political representatives can be informed of the Hellenic link to Anzac through Lemnos' role in the Gallipoli campaign.

Victorian Parliamentary Library, Melbourne.

NSW Parliamentary Library, Sydney.

 The book is now available in one of New Zealand's pre-eminent archival collections - the Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, to help descendants and researchers find out more about Lemnos link to the Anzac tradition. This will add to the collection of this great archival institution in New Zealand. Below are some of the many original photographs of Lemnos held by the Museum. I am sure there is another book waiting to be published on the photographs of Lemnos in the New Zealand archives. Thanks to John John William Irwin and Karen Martin for their help in making this available to the Museum.

Auckland War Museum, New Zealand

 

Our new book is now available in New Zealand at the New Zealand Parliamentary Library in Wellington. Thousands of New Zealand soldiers served on Lemnos in 1915-16 alongside their Australian and other Allied forces, they camped there, received medical treatment at the medical services there and returned there after the end of the Gallipoli campaign. And they would be buried in its war cemeteries - 47 at East Mudros and 29 at Portianou - like 20 year old Private Hurae Hetaraka of the New Zealand Maori Contingent, the son of Timoti and Wanakia Hetaraka, of Whatuwhiwhi, Mangonui, who died on the 16th August 1915. Below is my photo of Hurae's grave stone at East Mudros.

It is significant that the book is at the National Library of France, the Francios Mitterand Library, given the 80,000 French service personnel who served in the Gallipoli campaign, depicting in photographs like that below, French sailors with Hellenic volunteers from Asia Minor, held in the French Library's collection.

At the Library of Congress in Washington in the US, home to many photographs depicting Lemnos' role in the Gallipoli campaign, such as the one below which is reproduced in the book:

Author Henrietta Megarry - Book Review

Recently I received the following review of Grecian Adventure from Henrietta Megarry. Henrietta lives in the UK and is herself the author of a book on Lemnos and its role in the Gallipoli campaign, entitled Lemnos in History - Greek Island Base for Gallipoli. Thank you Henrietta for taking the time to review the book. Enjoy.

"The first thing to say about this book is that it is wonderful to look at. It is full of fascinating photographs taken or collected by the outsiders – men and women – who found themselves on the Greek island of Lemnos during the Gallipoli Campaign of 1915 – 1916.

Lemnos is the eighth largest Greek island and is situated in a strategically important place near the entrance to the Dardanelles. Although it was famous worldwide in 1915, it has not been so well known in recent years. Australian historian Jim Claven has played an important role in giving the island the attention it deserves. His book not only contains many photographs but is also a meticulous work of history with detailed references throughout.

The pictures show the development of the huge Bay of Mudros and its surroundings as they became the main base for the Gallipoli Campaign. The focus of the book is mainly on the Australian experience of Lemnos but it also refers to the British, French and others who spent time on the island. It reveals the importance of the work done on the infrastructure of the base by Greek and Egyptian labourers, as well as Turkish prisoners of war.

The medical services both on land and in ships in the bay were essential to the campaign. Many photographs, especially those taken by Albert Savage, show us nurses and patients in the 3rd Australian General Hospital. Very interesting as well are the images of Lemniot people and the places in which they lived and worked. These give an excellent impression of life on the island in the early twentieth century.

This book is well researched and beautifully produced. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone interested in Gallipoli and in Greek history."

Henrietta's book (front cover depicted below) can be obtained from the AbeBooks website.

How to obtain your copy

If you are unable to attend the event, you can order your copy(ies) by completing the order form (download here) and returning to the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee President, Mr Lee Tarlamis OAM.

For postage and packaging charges (including for overseas), please contact Mr Tarlamis direct via email: leetarlamis@hotmail.com.
It is also available for purchase at the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance shop.
Other outlets will be announced soon.

Jim Claven
Secretary, Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee