I rarely go to Paddington Station but, a recent holiday in the West Country, gave me the opportunity to see that magnificent building. There were two things I particularly wanted to see there: the statue of Paddington Bear, of course, but more importantly, the 1922 bronze figure by Charles Sargeant Jagger, Soldier Reading a Letter. I took a look at this in the quiet of the evening – which is why the photos are dark – knowing the station would be very busy next morning when we had a train to catch!
Continue reading “A letter from home …”Author: Robin Braysher
Robin's interest in the campaign comes from his grandfather, Fred, who served as a cyclist with the BSF from 1915 to 1917, mainly in the Struma valley where he caught malaria and dysentery. Robin joined the SCS in 2003 and served on the committee for 18 years as journal and then web editor. Opinions expressed in these posts are his and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Society.
10th (Irish) Division … again!
In April 2025 and March 2026 I shared my attempts to discover whether a distant relative by marriage had served in Salonika. In spite of there being no definite evidence either way, I concluded that it was highly unlikely. Although disappointing, it was still interesting to find out about his service in Gallipoli and to learn more about 7/Royal Munster Fusiliers in Gallipoli and Salonika.
Continue reading “10th (Irish) Division … again!”Thursday, 22 April, was a beautiful spring day:
warm, sunny, with a faint breeze. German guns shelled French and Canadian trenches throughout the morning but fell silent in the afternoon. The brief period of peace suddenly ended at 4:00pm when the Germans unleashed a violent bombardment, first on the salient and then gradually extending to nearby roads and Ypres, turning the town into a flaming inferno and causing its citizens to flee.
Continue reading “Thursday, 22 April, was a beautiful spring day:”More on the Munsters
In April 2025 I described my exploration of another possible family connection (albeit by marriage) with the Salonika campaign. This concerned Lt George Clark who was the Medical Officer of 7/Royal Munster Fusiliers. His medal index card and the Battalion war diary (WO 95/4296) conclusively place him in Gallipoli but, to see what happened next, required a visit to The National Archives at Kew to look at the next part of the war diary which, of course, has not been digitised. I can now share the next stage of my investigations and, whilst I don’t expect you to be especially interested in my family history, what I found out about 7/RMF may be of wider interest.
Continue reading “More on the Munsters”Remembering …
I doubt that members of the Salonika Campaign Society really need International Women’s Day to remember the service and sacrifice of the women of the Scottish Women’s Hospital who served in the Balkans. The Society has remembered them in books, in talks and presentations, at events and in articles, both printed and online. Even so, it may be helpful to have a reminder of these redoubtable women and their noble enterprise, through the graves of just four of their number. I photographed these on a visit to Thessaloniki ten years ago, at the CWGC Lembet Road Military Cemetery. They are: Sister Mary de Burgh Burt, Sister Florence Missouri Caton, Masseuse Olive Smith and Alice Annie Grey.
Continue reading “Remembering …”The Sinking of the Rewa
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”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!”More Chocolate Soldiers!
My thanks go to Rob Elliott and Andy Hutt who have both provided further information on 22nd Division’s production of The Chocolate Soldier. Before I share their pearls of wisdom, here is a link to a page with photos (scroll down!), which I found AFTER posting my article. I added it as a comment, but that may have been missed and the photos are certainly worth seeing:
Continue reading “More Chocolate Soldiers!”The Chocolate Soldier
Wilton’s Music Hall is a fascinating theatrical venue in the heart of the East End of London, close to Cable Street where, in 1936, at least one Salonika veteran – PC Fred Braysher – took part in the infamous ‘Battle of Cable Street’.
Continue reading “The Chocolate Soldier”Merry Christmas!
I’m pleased to share this Christmas card from Noah, our adopted mule, who lives at the Redwings Horse Sanctuary Centre at Caldecott, and add my own festive wishes to all our members, friends and visitors.
Continue reading “Merry Christmas!”
