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Funding The Brotherhood activities

Funding The Brotherhood activities is not something we have talked about. As you may or may not be aware, although informal and run by members who are volunteers, The Brotherhood does have regular outgoings. These are ‘third party’ costs and expenditure relating to our annual services in Kalamata and Lichfield; the website; our newsletters as well costs involved in the upkeep of the Greek Grove at the NMA. However, we have no regular source of income. Unlike other organisations, we  do not charge a  membership fee or request annual subscriptions.

Over the years, we have  been very fortunate to have benefitted from donations from members, some of which have been very generous. However, unlike our outgoings, these donations are by their very nature ad hoc. The refurbishment of the Greek Grove in 2018 significantly depleted our funds which means we are starting to look at new and different ways to finance The Brotherhood’s activities going forward, particularly to ensure the future of our memorials. At this stage, we would welcome your views and ideas. Please email us at greekveterans@gmail.com

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Veteran Story: Ronald Ramsay

This week, we are pleased to feature Ronald Ramsay, who was a radio operator with the Levant Fishing Patrol from late 1943 to April 1945. 

His son, Kevin Ramsay  has very kindly provided us with a copy of this incredibly comprehensive and personal account comprising 298 pages covering his father’s time in the war (and afterwards) including: radio operator’s log for the 1944 operation “Noah’s Ark”; 40-50 photographs; various letters and passes; photos of his time in the Middle East as well as other correspondence, maps and memorabilia.  Please click on the link below and scroll down to STORY where you will be able to read about Ron’s experiences.  

Read Ronald Ramsay’s Story

Ron’s story also refers to Sergeant-Major Medley of the QO 4th Hussars as well as photos and reference to Ronald Haggar who served as a wireless operator with SOE. Please click on this link which will take you to the Ronald Haggar Imperial War Museum interview 

 

 

 

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Update: UK Reunion 80th anniversary Saturday 11th September 2021

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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Veteran Story: (David) Allan Slocombe

This week, we are pleased to feature (David) Allan Slocombe, 292 Army Field Company, Royal Engineers. Allan was a very active member of The Brotherhood until his death in 2018, aged 99 years of age. Sources for Allan’s story include his account featured in “Tell Them We Were Here” as well A Prisoner’s Tale Retold from the the BBC Archive ” People’s War”. Further insights can also be gained from Yvonne Speak’s fictionalised account “The Wrath of the Gods” based on some of her father Ernie Carroll’s experiences in the same Unit. 

Please click on the link below and scroll down to STORY where you will be able to read about Allan’s experiences.  

Read Allan Slocombe’s Story

 

 

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Veteran Story: Major Ralph Ford Tredre

This week, we are pleased to feature Ralph Ford Tredre, a Major in the RAMC, who was assigned a unique and special mission to map out malaria zones on mainland Greece in February 1941. Leading a Malaria Field Laboratory of six men, Ralph undertook a tour throughout Greece over several weeks, ending with his evacuation on 27th April 1941.

His very detailed account, written in late 1941, amounting to many thousands of words, provides insights into the atmosphere at this time and the sense of chaos and encroaching disaster. This account has never been published or shared until now. His grandson, Roger Tredre, has very kindly provided us with a copy of his grandfather’s wartime diaries of his time in Greece. (Please note these diaries are still be published and are the copyright of Ralph’s son Alec Ford Tredre and grandson Roger Ford Tredre). 

Please click on the link below and scroll down to STORY where you will be able to read about Ralph’s experiences.  

Read Ralph Ford Tredre’s Story

 

 

 

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Veteran Story: Ernest Chapman aka Kiriakos

We are pleased to feature Ernest Chapman aka Kiriakos this week. Ernest was a private soldier who became a real hero for the Greeks. Left stranded in Greece in 1941 and having made several escapes after being captured, he later joined and fought with the partisans who named him Kiriakos. Ernest’s story was ghost written by Don Turner in his book “Kiriakos, a British Partisan in Wartime Greece” and is also included in Edwin Horlington’s book “Tell Them We Were Here”. Please click on the link below and scroll down to STORY where you will be able to read about Ernest’s experiences.  

Read Ernest Chapman’s Story

 

 

 

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Veteran Story: Edgar Harrison

We are pleased to feature Edgar Harrison OBE MC BEM this week. A truly incredible veteran and early member of The Brotherhood, Edgar was awarded the British Empire Medal (Mil) for gallantry at Kalamata; Military Cross for conspicuous service in Yugoslavia; MBE in 1958 for service to communications in Moscow and OBE in 1974 for service to Diplomatic Wireless Communications.  A member of MI6 (Section VIII) Special Communications unit he was Churchill’s personal radio operator. Fellow MI6 operator Geoffrey Pidgeon wrote about Edgar in his book “Edgar Harrison – soldier, patriot and ULTRA Wireless Operator to Winston Churchill”. Please click on the link below and scroll down to STORY where you will be able to read about Edgar’s experiences.  

Read Edgar Harrison’s Story

 

 

 

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Veteran Story: Dai Davies

We are pleased to feature Dai Davies this week. Dai (known as DT) Davies OBE was captured during the battle of Crete in 1941 and transported to Austria where he was taken to Stalag 18A. He escaped from the camp and made his way to Hungary but was later recaptured. He escaped again and was recaptured twice more. He was taken to the concentration camp Zemum, near Belgrade, described as ‘hell on earth’. He escaped one last time and joined the Partisans to fight in Yugoslavia. Awarded the Military Medal for his wartime services, DT only spoke about his experiences much later in life and wrote about them in his book ‘All for Freedom: A True Story of Escape from the Nazis’. When you read his story you will find references to his friends Joe Burke and Joe Beckett. 

Please click on the link below and scroll down to STORY where you will be able to read about Dai’s  experiences.  

Read Dai Davies Story

 

 

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Veteran Story: Eric Bardsley

We are pleased to feature Eric Bardsley’s story this week. Author of ‘Barbed Wire & Balkans’, Eric was a member of The Brotherhood and regularly attended the UK services. He was a PoW in Wolfsberg and participated in the 2013 Wolfsberg trip. As the only ex PoW and oldest member of the group that weekend, Eric was very warmly welcomed. At the Mayor’s Reception on the Friday night, Eric delivered a speech in German and received a standing ovation. 

A note from our Archive: Eric ‘declined’ to make the march north to the Markt Pongau – Salzberg area as the Russians approached eastern Austria in March 1945.  He and some others stayed hidden in the countryside around Friedberg until it was liberated by the Russians.  He eventually made his way home via Odessa on the Black Sea coast. 

Please click on the link below and scroll down to STORY where you will be able to read about Eric’s experiences.  

Read Eric Bardsley’s Story

 

 

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Kalamata City Council commemorates 80th anniversary

Kalamata City Council will be marking the 80th Anniversary with two events this week.
 
The first event will be held today, Thursday 13th May with a commemorative evening including speeches and a lecture on “Historical Elements of the Battle of Kalamata” by Dr Marios Athanasopoulos of the Philology Department, University of the Peloponnese. David Sanderson, Chairman of the Brotherhood and Janet Parkin, Secretary, have been invited to participate by zoom and make short speeches. The Defence Attaché, Captain Alex Bush RN will be represented by Sqn Ldr Marcus Fountain. The event will be available to view live on YouTube and on Facebook 6.00pm UK time.
Here are the links:
The second event will take place tomorrow, Friday 14th May with  a wreath laying ceremony and speeches at the memorial in Kalamata. A speech prepared by Janet Parkin will given by Jane Thomas and a poppy wreath laid on behalf of The Brotherhood by Di Billinge. Sq Ldr Marcus Fountain will lay a wreath on behalf of The Government of the United Kingdom.