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.

This year’s service will be held at the National Memorial Arboretum on Saturday 10th September at 11.30 a.m. in the Greek Grove.

Please note,  if it rains,  our service will be held in Pod 3 of the Marquee (and not the Millennium Chapel as previously advertised.)

Please email us at greekveterans@gmail.com if you would like further information.

We are pleased to announce that we will be holding the 75th UK reunion at the National Memorial Arboretum Saturday 10th September 2016. Weather permitting, the service will be held at 11 am (time to be confirmed)  in the Greek Grove. If it rains, we will hold the service in the Chapel (as we did last year) followed by the laying of the wreaths at the Greek Grove. For more information please email us at greekveterans@gmail.com

We held the UK reunion this year at the National Memorial Arboretum Saturday 12^th September 2015. The weather was a bit mixed, so we ended up holding the service in the Chapel followed by the laying of the wreaths at the Greek Grove. Thanks to all those who joined us for this moving ceremony.