Once again a small group from the UK attended this year. Sadly no veterans but we do hope to see some in September at our reunion then. The Mayor, Panagiotis E. Nikas, together with other civic dignitaries including Periklis Mantas, deputy governor of the Region of Peloponnese were in attendance. Plus the town band. Also present were military personnel and, of course, we were well supported by our ex-pat friends. As usual, our Man in Kalamata, and very good friend, Nikos Zervis, also joined us.

Janet Parkin, gave the welcome introduction saying how pleased we were to be there representing the Brotherhood 76 years after the 1941 Greek Campaign and bringing greetings from the Brotherhood and Frank Gill, our President. Janet also thanked the City of Kalamata for continuing to organise the Annual Service of Commemoration because it is so important that the sacrifices made are not forgotten. Jock Watt had been hoping to be with us because he particularly wanted to say a few words himself. However, David Sanderson (son of Eric Rockcliff Sanderson) said few words on Jock’s behalf.

Speeches were translated by Kostas Kontothanasis, the Mayor’s Press and Public Relations Officer. Kostas has become a good friend of the Brotherhood. The Mayor also gave a speech in which he promised that the 1941 Greek Campaign would always be commemorated. Laurel wreaths were laid by the Mayor and other dignitaries. Poppy tributes were laid by David Sanderson in memory of the Prisoners of War, Mrs Elizabeth Matthews on behalf of the Widows, Mrs Judi Jones in memory of Deceased members, Colin Pleavin on behalf of the Brotherhood and Mrs Diane Billinge on behalf of the Ex-Patriate Community.

We had press coverage in three local newspapers the following day as well as excellent coverage in Australia courtesy of Jim Claven, an Australian freelance writer and historian, based in Melbourne, who attended the service in Kalamata in 2016, and is the Secretary of the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee. Jim had an illustrated article published in Neos Kosmos, a Greek Community Newspaper, which covered both the service in Kalamata and a service in Melbourne later in May.

Some of our party later took the opportunity to visit one of the playgrounds which had been affected by the extreme flooding last Autumn and for which Brotherhood funds had been used for restoration.

The date of the ceremony this year is Tuesday 9th May 2017. Flights direct to Kalamata are available with British Airways from Heathrow and with Easyjet from Gatwick. Flights from Manchester are operated by Thomas Cook. Please get in touch if you would like more information or wish to join our group. Our email is greekveterans@gmail.com.

The date of the Service of Commemoration in Kalamata in 2017 has been set for Tuesday 9th May 2016.  We will publish more details nearer the time and look forward to seeing you there.

Our group this year numbered 32 from the UK – including two veterans – Frank Gill and Jock Watt. Also present, were 12 people from Israel, family descendants of the Palestinian Pioneers who served with the British Army and who were taken prisoner in April 1941.

Others who attended the ceremony on Tuesday 24th May 2016 included:  the British Ambassador and the Australian Ambassador from Athens accompanied by their Defence Attachés, together with an 8-person contingent from the Australian Federation Guard; various military personnel, civic dignitaries, the town band and the usual very supportive group of expats.

We must thank the Mayor of Kalamata Mr. Nikas Panagiotis, and his Assistant and Press and Public Relations Officer, Mr Kostas Kontothanasis for all their kind hospitality and invaluable support. Not forgetting Nikos Zervis, ‘Our Man in Kalamata’ who was also present giving us his usual, most welcome help, advice and support.

On this special anniversary, Frank Gill, President of the Brotherhood presented the Mayor with a Brotherhood plaque “Presented to the Mayor and People of Kalamata for their generous support over the years. 75th Anniversary of the Greek Campaign. May 2016.” The Mayor reciprocated by presenting Frank Gill with a copy of the Seal of the Senate of Messinia.

Laurel wreaths were laid by the Mayor and other dignitaries. The Ambassadors laid wreaths and our contingent laid seven wreaths:  Frank Gill in memory of Fallen Comrades, Noah Scott on behalf of the Prisoners of War, Mrs Diane Billinge on behalf of the Widows, Phil Evans in memory of Australian Prisoners of War and their Fallen Comrades, Alec Hamilton of behalf of the Royal Tank Regiment, Geoff Swinnerton of behalf of Deceased members and the Brotherhood of Veterans of the 1941 Greek Campaign and Alan Stevenson on behalf of the Expatriate Community. Jim Claven also laid a wreath on behalf of the Battle of Crete and Greek Campaign Commemorative Committee.

If you are planning to travel to Greece next year for the 75th anniversary, this is to let you know that easyJet flights from UK to Kalamata for May 2016 are now open for booking.

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

2016 will be the 75^th anniversary. Clearly, this will probably be the last ‘significant’ anniversary that our surviving veterans (now well into their 90s) will able to attend. We are very keen to make contact with as many veterans and their families as possible, including those from Australia and New Zealand and other Allied Forces, to join us and take part in what will be a very special and unique event.

We are pleased to announce that the date for the 75th anniversary ceremony in Kalamata will be Tuesday 24th May 2016. We are in discussion with officials regarding the arrangements for this very special event and will publish details in due course.