Last year I resolved to share the story of the sinking of the hospital ship, Rewa. I decided to do this on the anniversary of the event in 2026. The trouble was, I failed to check the date and, convinced that it was in February, by the time I looked up the details I realised I had missed it – 4 January! I could have left it until 2027 but, instead, decided to post the story today, Fred Braysher’s birthday, as it was Fred (my grandfather) who told me the story 44 years ago.
Continue reading “The Sinking of the Rewa”Month: Feb 2026
Happy Year of the Horse!
Once again it’s time to celebrate the Lunar New Year – or Spring Festival, if you prefer – and this time it’s the ‘Year of the Horse’, which makes finding a Salonika-related photo remarkably easy! Before we look at that, it’s worth noting that in 2026 it’s a ‘Fire Horse’, something we haven’t seen since 1966. Apparently, after an introspective ‘Year of the Snake’, we are now galloping forward with vibrant and fiery energy, which symbolises adventure, vitality, and momentum. So hold onto your hat!
Continue reading “Happy Year of the Horse!”Nick Ilić lecture on the ‘Serbian Golgotha’
Apologies for the late notice…
Tonight (Monday 9th February) at 7pm, Nick Ilić will be giving a free online talk (as part of the Serbian Council of Great Britain Serbian Month programme of events).
Nick says on ‘X’, “The talk is about the ‘Second Serbian Campaign’ that was taking place 110 years ago during the Great War. The events culminated in what became called the ‘Serbian Golgotha’ – where rather than surrender to the advancing German, Austro-Hungarian and Bulgarian Armies, the Serbs decided to retreat over the Albanian and Montenegrin mountains to the Adriatic Coast. Thousands perished.
The Serbs did not march on their own over the mountains – with them went the international military and medical missions that had deployed to Serbia in 1914 and 1915.
It is a most remarkable, heroic, tragic and little known story.
The events also witnessed the deployment of the French and British Salonika Armies to come to the rescue of the Serbs – but to no avail.”
To access the talk:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88643782272?pwd=NMRfjni3cQdTiGy3bLvMDeNAgzYxeb.1
Meeting ID: 886 4378 2272
Passcode: 443996 from this page.
Adrian Wright – A Tribute by SCS Chair, Alan Wakefield
A week ago, I learnt the very sad news that friend and long-time member of the SCS, Adrian Wright, had died in Thessaloniki. Adrian will be known to many members of the Society, in particularly those who have joined one or more of our annual battlefield tours. For many years, Adrian acted as SCS standard bearer during official Remembrance ceremonies at Lembet Road Military Cemetery and the Five Nations Memorial, Polykastro. He would also often join tour parties during travels in northern Greece.
Along with Apostolos Nalmpantis and Minas Drestiliaris, Adrian has assisted the Society with location recces of new sites for the annual battlefield tours and with research into photographs and documents. Adrian’s linguistic skills opened very useful avenues of research into French, German and Greek sources relating to the Salonika Campaign. A particular memory that comes to mind is that of a day on part of the Birdcage Line with Adrian and Minas. From the sites of the vanished villages of Pirnar and Daudli, past the traces of trenches, dugouts and concrete shelters to the summit of the Matterhorn we walked. My friends sharing with me their discoveries in the landscape.
Adrian was always willing to share his wide knowledge of the campaign and wider Greek history with all those who shared his passion for the subject. I and many others have shared interesting conversations with Adrian both out in the field and over a meal or drinks. Sadly, such meetings became less frequent in recent years as Adrian’s declining health precluded him from many of our activities. Yet, whenever possible, he managed to join us in Thessaloniki to talk history. Now, it is with a sense of shock and true sadness to think that such moments and meetings will not come again.
At Adrian’s funeral the SCS was represented by Apostolos Nalmpantis and Minas Drestiliaris. I would like to thank Apostolos for organising an SCS badged poppy wreath. That Adrian’s family allowed the wreath to be buried with him was a very fitting tribute to a man who has done so much to help further knowledge of and commemorate all those who served in Macedonia between 1915 and 1918.
Adrian, Rest in Peace, you were a truly good man and I am proud to call you my friend.
Salonika Campaign Society, 1915-1918 