Sunken Sub a Great War time capsule - Age Story

The Age recently published a story on renewed efforts to search the wreck of the Australian submarine - the AE2 - which lies in the Sea of Marmara - where it has rested since April 1915.
The AE2 was the first naval vessel to penetrate the narrows at the entrance to the Dardanelles.
Prior to its famous voyage the AE2 sailed into Mudros Bay on Lemnos.
Click here to link to the article.

Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee

Victorian Government Centenary of Anzac Website Promotes Our Project - Thank You

The Victorian Government's Anzac Centenary Website is promoting the Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial Statue project as one of the key community projects for the Centenary.
You can view the link to the report on our project by clicking here.
This website is very informative and includes important advice on how to access the Australian archives and AWM to research your WW1 relatives - click here for this advice.

Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee 

Good Sounds in Bad Times - Music among the Anzacs in WW1

 An interesting new book has been published on music and the Anzacs.
Robert Holden's new book And the Band Played On explores a different sound of war, the music and live entertainment that helped divert our soldiers from the horrors of the front line, where death was never far from mind. Our troops trained and marched to war to the sound of brass bands, buglers summoned soldiers into action from morning to night and, when there was a break, be it in the mess huts, transport vehicles or the endless time spent in lice-ridden trenches, the men sang songs, recited poems or made music on simple instruments such as the harmonica, jaw harp, tin whistle or concertina. This ''down time'' was important in fortifying our troops, encouraging relaxation, camaraderie and a reminder of better times. It was diversion therapy of the best kind.

 

The author draws on extensive research from the National Archives and Australian War Memorial.

The book is published by Hardie Grant and sells for $29.95

To read the full review from the Melbourne Age, click here.

Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee

Mystery of the First Anzac Ashore at Gallipoli

Sergeant Joseph Stratford

The Melbourne Age newspaper recently report the continuing controversy concerning which Anzac was the first ashore at Gallipoli on 25th April 1915.
The two claimants are Sergeant Joseph Stratford from Lismore NSW and Duncan Chapman from Maryborough in Queensland. Both were members of the 9th Battalion and both landed on the 25th April. But there the stories diverge.
Australian War historian Charles Bean referred to Duncan Chapman as the first Anzac ashore. But there is eyewitness evidence to the contrary that Sergeant Stratford landed first. The Lismore paper, the Northern Star reported in 1939 that:

''This recalls the belief, on the evidence of a returned Victorian soldier, that Sgt Stratford was the first man to land. The assertion was made by Private Studley Gahan, son of Councillor J. Gahan, of Wellingwood, that 'Joe Stratford was the first of Australia's troops ashore at Gallipoli'.''
The Uniting (formerly Methodist) Church in Lismore has a plaque which states:  
''In memory of Sgt Joseph Stratford who attended the mid-Lismore Methodist Church Sunday School. Eyewitnesses state that he was first Australian to land at Gallipoli''.

Nevertheless, the Maryborough RSL has committed to erecting a statue to Chapman in April 2015.

For the full story, click here.

Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee

Lemnos Friends of Anzac Poster!

Last year, the Friends of Anzac was formed on Lemnos to help build and promote Lemnos' Anzac heritage.
Thanks to Stelios Mantzaris from Varos Village on Lemnos for creating this lovely poster!

Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee

Lost Heroes of World War One - UK Channel 5 TV Series

Lost Heroes of World War One - The Story of the Great War told by the Men and Women who lived through it.
This amazing TV series from the UK's Channel 5 features previously recorded interviews with WW1 veterans. It makes for very moving and authentic viewing for anyone interested in the First World War and its impacts on the lives of a generation.

The series contains 5 episodes:

The Call to Arms -  As Britain squared up to German aggression in July 1914, a tide of patriotic fervour swept the land and young men flocked to the recruitment centres, eager to become heroes (watch it on youtube by clicking here)

The Bloodiest Battle - Veterans and stretcher-bearers recount incredible stories of bravery amongst horrific carnage as they recall the Battle of the Somme (watch it on youtube by clicking here)

The Home Front - An examination of the home front during WWI, charting the experiences of loss, along with the fighting spirit that emerged in Britain and the women who took on the opportunities to work in place of men (watch it on youtube by clicking here)

Deadlock - Examining the battles of Arras and Passchendaele, with interview footage of late veterans Harry Patch and Henry Allingham (watch it on youtube by clicking here)

Journey's End - Examining the last days of WWI, when thousands of half-trained 18-year-old British conscripts were sent to France to counter a massive German offensive (watch it on youtube by clicking here)

It would be great if there was a similar program created about the Anzacs and Gallipoli!

To link to the Channel 5 website on the series, click here.

Lemnos' Patron Saint - Saint Sozon

The Patron Saint of Lemnos is Saint Sozon.
Greek Orthodox tradition records that Sozon was a shepherd, born in Lyconia. As a Christian he was killed by the Romans for his faith at the nearby city of Pompeiopolis in 304.

Through Roman times the island of Limnos (or Lemnos) had as its protector Saint Alexander, whose relics rested there up until 1308. This is mentioned in a codex at the Patriarchate of Alexandria. In 1308 pirates stole these holy relics and sold them to Venetians. Since then the mention of Saint Alexander as the patron of Limnos gradually weakened.
This was followed by many tragic events on the island: pirate raids, battles between imperial families for its control, the intrusion of the Franks, the Venetian conquest, the fall of Constantinople, and finally the Ottoman occupation of the island in 1479. Because of these events and changes, old habits gradually became forgotten.
In the mid-eighteenth century the island began to recover from its poverty. Limnian sailors and merchants would come into contact with Europeans, Russians and Egyptians. With their newly acquired wealth they began to rebuild many of their old humble and ruined churches in the villages. Limnian captains would sail to Constantinople, Smyrna, Alexandria, the ports of the Aegean islands and the Black Sea. On their way to the Dardanelles they would look upon their island from afar. There they would sea a small chapel from afar on the south coast of Limnos that would give them strength and courage to continue their battle with the sea. This was the Church of Saint Sozon, located near the village Fisini (Physsini).
The sailors would look upon Saint Sozon as their savior, because at one time he saved certain castaways when he turned his cloak into a boat. When they would light their candles in the church, they would cross themselves and say a prayer that they would return unharmed to their island. When they were in danger or threatened by a storm, they would pray "Saint Sozon, save us!" Then they would present their offerings: one person an icon, another a liturgy, whatever one was able to do.
At the same time, the residents of Limnos began to pray to Saint Sozon, even making vows to him that their loved ones would return to the island safe. In this way, for Limnian seamen and their families, Saint Sozon became a patron saint, and every year on September 7th they would go to the chapel of the Saint and honor his memory. Towards the end of the nineteenth century Saint Sozon was seen by all on Limnos to be their patron saint.
In a list of official holidays celebrated on the island of Limnos in 1887 there is no mention of Saint Sozon. The earliest written testimony to the celebration of Saint Sozon as patron of the island is in 1906. In this year the Limnos Brotherhood of Alexandria decided on September 7th to host a feast of the patron saint of Limnos Sozon with a Great Vespers on the evening prior to the feast and a Divine Liturgy with an artoklasia on the day of the feast. Therefore, the exact date of the establishment of Saint Sozon as the patron of Limnos is to be found between 1887 and 1906.

 Lemnos' Church of Saint Sozon



The Chapel of Saint Sozon stands in the small village of Skandali, on the south-eastern tip of Limnos from medieval times. In old maps this area was known as Cogito, which is a distortion of the name "ston Agiosoznta" (στον Αγιοσώζ’ντα). The name Cogito was first reported by the Italian scholar Porcacchi in 1572. Therefore, the Chapel of Saint Sozon existed at least since the early sixteenth century. Previously in this position there was also a small fortress, which in 1572 was already in ruins. In today's church the oldest evidence comes from some icons of the nineteenth century.
Recently, the cells of the church were restored by the brothers Stenou. Today the church is deserted but on its feast day, the 7th of September, it is the place where a big three-day festival takes place in honor of Saint Sozon.
The evening before residents from every town and village would gather around the church, and they would receive hospitality from the residents of the nearby village of Fisini. Eventually cells were built around the church to house all the pilgrims who came for the feast. After Great Vespers all would celebrate the feast with violins and lyres. Following the Divine Liturgy in the morning a procession with the holy icon took place, then the festivities would continue till the next morning. The next day the families with their animals would depart for their villages. This feast continues till today.
Limnians of the diaspora in Australia, Canada, the USA and South Africa still uphold the old tradition to gather and celebrate the feast of Saint Sozon. The celebration of the Saint is a link they have with their homeland and remind them of their childhood years on the island.

Saint Sozon's image at the Lemnian Community of Victoria's Hall

Thanks to the website of John Sanidopoulos for this information. To go to his site click here.
Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee