The Service of Commemoration this year took place on Tuesday 13th May, at the Memorial in the Railway Park. There were several speeches. The first was given by the Mayor, Mr Athanasios Vasilopoulos. Ohers included Ms Alison Duncan, the Australian Ambassador to Greece and Mrs Susan Geary, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy.

Janet Parkin reiterated that the sacrifices made in 1941 must not be forgotten.  She also paid tribute to Jim Claven for all he had done on “Anzac – The Greek Chapter” documentary and for his continuing work with the Commemorative Anzac Memorial Plaque trail.

Barry Parkin gave the oration. Laurel wreaths were laid by the Mayor and other Greek dignitaries. Poppy tributes were laid by Mrs Geary and the following Brotherhood representatives:  Doug (Buster) Beckett, in Remembrance of the Prisoners of War; Mrs Margaret Stanbridge on behalf of the Widows; Paul Hadwin In Memory of Deceased Members;  David Sanderson on behalf of the Brotherhood of Veterans of the 1941 Greek Campaign; and Mr Carl Shute on behalf of the British Residents of Kalamata. At the end of the service the town band played the national anthems. We then adjourned to the cafeteria area of the Railway Park for refreshments – generously hosted by the Kalamata City Council. There was also excellent local press and TV coverage with photos.

Doug (Buster) Beckett had again made small (nine inch) wooden crosses – 49 this year – which were fixed to the railings behind the Memorial – each one dedicated to a particular veteran.