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.
Kalamata 2023 – 82nd Anniversary of the 1941 Greek Campaign
This year the service of Commemoration was held on Tuesday 16th May.
The Mayor, Mr Athanasios Vasilopoulos welcomed everyone and gave the opening speech. This was followed by an address by Captain Alex Bush, the Defence Attaché of the UK. Janet Parkin then gave a short speech, reiterating that the Greek Campaign must not be forgotten, and thanking the City of Kalamata for continuing to be so supportive and for organizing “this important Annual Act of Remembrance”. After this, Mrs Eleni Volonaki, Professor of Ancient Philology, University of the Peloponnese, gave a very interesting talk about the 1941 Greek Campaign. Barry Parkin gave the oration.
Laurel wreaths were laid by the Mayor and other Greek dignitaries. Poppy tributes were laid by Captain Alex Bush and representatives of the Brotherhood of Greek Veterans. The service ended with the town band playing the national anthems.
UK Reunion – 82nd Anniversary 9th September 2023
This year’s service will be held at the National Memorial Arboretum, Lichfield on Saturday 9th September 2023 at 11.30 am in the Greek Grove, or in the chapel if wet.
If you would like to join us for refreshments (small charge per head) after the service please email greekveterans@gmail.com for further details.
News (please click on links below and see News section)
- Anzac Memorial Plaque Trail across Greece
- Kalamata and UK Reunion 2023 – 82nd anniversary of the 1941 Greek Campaign
- 81st UK anniversary service held September 10th 2022
- 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