Welcome to our website, which is in honour of Allied Veterans and their fallen comrades who served in Greece in World War Two.
Our aim is to:
- create awareness and understanding of the ill-fated Greek Campaign
- promote the ongoing work and activities of ‘The Brotherhood of Veterans of The Greek Campaign 1940 to 1941’ for veterans and their families.
30 years since it was founded by Edwin Horlington MBE, The Brotherhood continues to be very active due to the hard work and dedication of Edwin’s daughter Janet Parkin (formerly Buttery, née Horlington) and, until recently, our President Frank J Gill (Lance Corporal, Royal Engineers).
The 1941 Greek Campaign has been commemorated with a memorial service, attended by veterans and their families from the UK, in Kalamata in May every year since 1994. We also hold an annual service at the National Memorial Arboretum in the UK every September.
Our Archive of veterans stories is available to view on our website. For every veteran listed we provide a summary record. For others, we also have a copy of their POW questionnaire. For the rest, we have a comprehensive story including Pre-Greece, Greek Campaign, Post-Greece and sometimes a Post Script about life after the war.
UK Reunion – 84th Anniversary 6th September 2025
We were very pleased that Father John was able to join us, once again, and take the service this year. We were also delighted to welcome, for the first time, Captain Alexandros Xanthouleas, HN, Greek Defence Attaché, accompanied by his wife and son. Plus, representing the British military, Major Ruth Cork, Royal Engineers, accompanied by her father and Cedar, a delightful cocker spaniel; and Major Ryan Morgan, Royal Tank Regiment. Four standards were carried by the following ‘volunteers’: Richard Greville, Colin Pleavin, Peter Simpson and Ian Brown.
Janet Parkin gave a short welcome speech and reiterated, as always, how important it is not to forget the 1941 Greek Campaign and the sacrifices made. Five wreaths were laid by the following: Captain Alexandros Xanthouleas, HN, Greek Defence Attaché; Buster Beckett in Memory of the Prisoners of War; Pat Beckett on behalf of the Widows; Mark Buttery in Memory of Deceased Members and Sara Joynes on behalf of the Brotherhood of Veterans of the 1941 Greek Campaign.
Barry Parkin gave the Oration and acted as Parade Marshall. Barry also read out the address prepared by our Chairman, David Sanderson, who was unable to be with us, which included a piece about one of our Greek veterans, Trooper Ernie Chapman. Please see link below to read the address
Kalamata 2026 – 85th Anniversary of the 1941 Greek Campaign
No date has been set yet, but it will be sometime in May. If you think you might be interested in joining us in Kalamata next year, please email us at greekveterans@gmail.com so that we can let you know when a date has been agreed.
UK Reunion – 85th Anniversary 12th September 2026
Next year’s service will be held at The National Memorial Arboretum on Saturday 12th September 2026 at 11.30am in the Greek Grove or in the chapel if wet. Please contact us if you would like further information.
Don’t forget we also have a Facebook Group
We have “members” only Facebook Group for day-to-day communication, exchanges and information concerning the WW2 in Greece. The group, which is a private closed group, has more than 1500 members. If you are a Facebook user and care to join, the Facebook page can be found using the following link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ww2greekveterans.
News (please click on links below and see News section)
- UK Reunion – 84th Anniversary 6th September 2025
- Commemoration of Anzacs in the 1941 Greek Campaign
- Incident in Kaminia Bay (Delphinia) 29th April 1941
- Anzac Memorial Plaque Trail across Greece
- English translation of Nikos Zervis’s book: Kalamata – Occupation – Resistance – Liberation available to buy
- Funding The Brotherhood activities
- Famous people who were also veterans of the Campaign