We were blessed with good weather and an excellent turn-out for our service at the Greek Grove at the National Memorial Arboretum. We were very pleased to have an excellent Uk military presence at this special 80th Anniversary service. There were 14 representatives from various units which had been actively involved in the original campaign, who attended our service. The most senior of these was a Brigadier Humphris, 1st Armoured Infantry Brigade. Also attending was Captain Ioannis Papavlachos, the Greek Defence Attaché; Lieutenant Emma Thomas of the New Zealand Defence Force and Sqn Leader Rashmin Gunaratne, Australian Defence Force.
All five of our standards were carried this year by the following ‘volunteers’: Ian Brown, Paul Hadwin, Barry Parkin, Colin Pleavin and Peter Simpson. In addition, the Branch Chairman of Bournemouth, Pool and District Branch of the Royal Tank Regiment, Retired Captain Dave Larcombe, attended and carried an RTR standard.
Father John (Nankivell) led the service, ably assisted, as usual, by his wife, Georgina. Janet Parkin gave a short welcome and introduction followed by an address from our Chairman David Sanderson. Please click on this link to read David’s speech.
Nine wreaths were laid this year – one by each of our three special guests (see above): plus Brigadier Humphris on behalf of all the military representatives present; Captain (Retired) Dean Hutton, Royal Tank Regiment; Roger Hadwin – Prisoners of War; Mary Sanderson – on behalf of the Widows; Margaret Stanbridge – in Remembrance of Deceased Members; and Mark Buttery on behalf of the Brotherhood. Geoff Swinnerton gave the oration and acted as Parade Marshall. Many thanks to all who helped make the 80th anniversary service a memorable occasion.