We had a very good turn out, with about 50 people attending the service – which, due to the lovely weather, we were able to hold in the Greek Grove.

Janet Parkin, our Secretary, gave the welcome speech in which she reiterated how important it was, 78 years after the 1941 Greek Campaign, to remember  and commemorate it.

We were very pleased that Frank Gill, our President, who celebrated his 100th birthday in July, was able to join us. Frank took the opportunity to say a few words, including the fact that he had been quite overwhelmed by the number of  cards and tributes he had received for his birthday. He thanked everyone from the bottom of his heart and said he was truly moved and very grateful to everyone.

We were delighted to welcome Captain Athanasios Dimitriou, the Greek Defence Attaché, and to welcome back representatives from Australia and New Zealand who had attended in 2018 – Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Evans, Department of Defence, Australian High Commission and Major Chris Shaw, New Zealand Defence Staff.

We were also very pleased to welcome, once again, Mrs Dora Cooper, 104 years old.  Dora is the widow of L/Cpl Francis Cooper of the 4^th Q.O. Hussars, PoW, Stalag 18A.  Dora  was accompanied by her son Cyril.

Father John (Nankivell) from the Greek Orthodox Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Walsall  conducted the service – which, as usual,  went very well.  Four others from his congregation attended and assisted. As  usual their singing was beautiful and added to the occasion.

Four standards were carried – thank you to Phil Evans, Paul Hadwin, Colin Pleavin and David Sanderson.

In addition to the wreaths laid by our special guests, see above, poppy wreaths were also laid by Frank Gill – in memory of Fallen Comrades;  Buster (Doug) Beckett – Prisoners of War;  Mary Peterkin – Deceased Members and Mark Buttery on behalf of the Brotherhood.  Geoff Swinnerton gave the oration.  Len Cook, bugler, played the Last Post and Reveille – a stalwart who has been doing this for us for many years – and Barry Parkin acted as Parade Marshall.   Many thanks to you all.

The 78th anniversary and UK Reunion  of the 1941 Greek campaign will  be held at the National Memorial Arboretum on Saturday 7th September 2019 at 11.30am in The Greek Grove, or if wet, in the Chapel. Details of the service can be found on the Arboretum website. Should you wish to join us for refreshments after the service, at a nearby venue, please get in touch by email at greekveterans@gmail.com

Sadly, the weather wasn’t great so we held the service in the chapel and afterwards laid the wreaths at the altar in the Greek Grove.

Father John, with his wife Georgina, together with Marina from their church, attended.  As usual their singing was delightful and really added to the service.

We were delighted to welcome Captain P Koulouris, the Greek Defence Attaché; Major Chris Shaw, with his fiancée, New Zealand Defence Staff; and Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Evans and his wife, the Department of Defence, Australian High Commission, who all laid wreaths.

Frank Gill, our President, who celebrated his 99^th birthday in July, was with us with his daughter Trish and son-in-law Carl.

We were also very pleased to welcome, once again, Mrs Dora Cooper, 103 years old.  Dora is the widow of L/Cpl Francis Cooper of the 4^th Q.O. Hussars, PoW, Stalag 18A.  Dora  was accompanied by her son Cyril.

Four standards were carried – thank you to Paul Hadwin, Thomas Morgan, Colin Pleavin and David Sanderson.

Janet Parkin, our Secretary, gave a welcome speech after which Carol Swinnerton read out a short poem which she had written and which is reproduced here:

“PETALS on the ground, they lie there fallen, like the men that went before. The past is done and gone, but someone’s FATHER, BROTHER, SON, when we think of them, they still live on.”

In addition to the wreaths laid by our special guests, see above, poppy tributes were also laid by Frank Gill – in memory of Fallen Comrades; Buster (Doug) Beckett – Prisoners of War;  Elizabeth Matthews – Widows; Mary Peterkin – Deceased Members and Mark Buttery on behalf of the Brotherhood.  Geoff Swinnerton gave the oration.  Len Cook, bugler, played the Last Post and Reveille and Barry Parkin acted as Parade Marshall.

Many thanks to you all for your contribution.

This year’s service will be held at the National Memorial Arboretum, Lichfield on Saturday 8th September 2018 at 12.30pm (not 11.30am as previously advertised) in the Greek Grove, or if wet, in the Chapel. As in previous years, arrangements will be made for a buffet lunch after the service to be held locally. In addition, some of us use the opportunity to meet up and make a weekend of it, staying at nearby hotel. Please email us at greekveterans@gmail.com if you would like more information.

The 77th anniversary and UK Reunion  of the 1941 Greek campaign will  be held in the Greek Grove at the National Memorial Arboretum Saturday 8th September 2018. Further details will be published nearer the time.

This year we had an excellent turn out with 70 people attending the service. Fortunately, we had booked the chapel as the weather was very much like April – sun one minute and showers the next. After the service, between showers, we were able to take wreaths to the Greek Grove and lay them at our altar.

Father John and Father Theodoros conducted the service, accompanied by three other members of their church. All very moving as usual, and beautifully sung. We were delighted to once again to welcome representatives from the Australian, Greek and New Zealand Defence staff: Major David Rocco, Australian Army; Major Kostas Farmakis, Greek Army and Commander David Crossman, New Zealand Navy.

Our party included two 98 year old veterans – Frank Gill, our President, and Joe Burke. Jock Watt had planned to attend but, unfortunately, due to ill-health, was unable to join us. We were also very pleased to welcome a very sprightly 102 year old Mrs Dora Cooper, widow of L/Cpl Francis Cooper, of the 4th Q.O. Hussars, PoW, Stalag 18A.

Standards were carried by Alec Hamilton, Thomas Morgan, Colin Pleavin and David Sanderson. In addition to the wreaths laid by our special guests (see above) poppy tributes were also laid by Elizabeth Matthews, – Widows; Joe Burke – Prisoners of War; Frank Gill – Fallen Comrades; Geoff Swinnerton – Deceased Members and Mark Buttery on behalf of the Brotherhood. Geoff Swinnerton gave the oration. Len Cook, the bugler, played last post and reveille and Barry Parkin acted as Parade Marshall. Many thanks to all for their contribution.

As previously advised, this service will be held at the National Memorial Arboretum Lichfield, in the Greek Grove or, if wet, in the Chapel. The Chapel has been booked specifically for this purpose, but, fingers crossed, it won’t be needed. If, after the service, you would like to join us for a buffet lunch (a private event hosted and held locally) please get in touch by sending an email to greekveterans@gmail.com

This year’s service will be held at the National Memorial Arboretum on Saturday 9th September at 11.30 a.m. in the Greek Grove, or if wet, in the Chapel. Arrangements will be made for the buffet after the service to be at the Fradley Arms which is very convenient for the Arboretum. Please get in touch by email (greekveterans@gmail.com)  if you would like to know more or wish to join our group.

The 76th anniversary and UK Reunion  of the 1941 Greek campaign will  be held in the Greek Grove at the National Memorial Arboretum Saturday 9th September 2017. Further details will be published nearer the time.

Father John took the service, which was held at the National Memorial Arboretum on Saturday 10th September 2016 with the help of Father Theodoros and members of his church and choir. Around 70 people attended the service and as this was the 75th anniversary of the 1941 Greek Campaign we were delighted that the following three gentlemen could also join us: Brigadier Evan Williams, New Zealand Defence Adviser from the NZ High Commission, Captain Charalampos Zisimopoulos, Defence Attaché from the Hellenic Embassy and Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Tsamis, Australian Defence Staff from the Australian High Commission.

Our party included three 97 year-old veterans – Frank Gill, our President, Jock Watt and  Joe Burke. Standard bearers included Jock Watt, Alec Hamilton, Thomas Morgan, Colin Pleavin , David Sanderson and Gerry Shaw.

In addition to the wreaths laid by our special guests, poppy tributes were also laid by Elizabeth Matthews, for the widows; Phil Evans for the Prisoners of War; Frank Gill for Fallen Comrades, Mark Buttery on behalf of the Brotherhood and Geoff Swinnerton for Deceased Members. Len Cook played the last post and reveille and Barry Parkin acted as Parade Marshall.

Many thanks to all the above for their contribution.