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, 1^st 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.

David Sanderson address

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.

As a reminder, this year’s service will be held in the Greek Grove at the National Memorial Arboretum, Lichfield on Saturday 11th September at 11.30am or, if wet, at 12 noon in the Chapel.  Arrangements at the Arboretum are a little different this year. All visits must be pre-booked – within the two weeks leading up to 11th September, no earlier.  If booking on-line the email address is thenma.org.uk.  If you are arriving by car, please note that one ticket is required per four wheeled vehicle and  all passengers are included in the ticket.  If you cannot book on-line then phone the NMA 01283 245 100.  Most facilities are open: restaurant, coffee shop etc.

After the service, we have made arrangements for a buffet lunch (at a modest cost per head) to be provided for us at a local venue, not far from the Arboretum. If you wish to join us for lunch, please email us at greekveterans@gmail.com and we will you send you the details. We will need to know numbers in advance for catering purposes.

This year’s service will be held in the Greek Grove at the National Memorial Arboretum, Lichfield on Saturday 11th September at 11.30am or, if wet, at 12 noon in the Chapel. (Please note the NMA website currently states 11am start which is incorrect). Arrangements at the Arboretum are a little different this year. All visits must be pre-booked – within the two weeks leading up to 11th September, no earlier.  If booking on-line the email address is thenma.org.uk.  If you are arriving by car, please note that one ticket is required per four wheeled vehicle and  all passengers are included in the ticket.  If you cannot book on-line then phone the NMA 01283 245 100.  Most facilities are open: restaurant, coffee shop etc.

After the service, we have made arrangements for a buffet lunch (at a modest cost per head) to be provided for us at a local venue, not far from the Arboretum. If you wish to join us for lunch, please email us at greekveterans@gmail.com and we will you send you the details. We will need to know numbers in advance for catering purposes.

This year’s service will be held in the Greek Grove at the National Memorial Arboretum, Lichfield on Saturday 11th September at 11.30am or, if wet, at 12 noon in the Chapel. Further updates and details will be published nearer the time..

We are planning to hold the 80th anniversary UK Reunion at the National Memorial Arboretum in Lichfield on Saturday 11th September 2021. We will provide more information due course.