Having celebrated the Welsh battalions of the BSF on St David’s Day, I can hardly do less for St Patrick’s Day. So here are the Irish battalions that served with the BSF, in order of seniority.
Continue reading “Erin go Bragh!”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.
‘Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus’
… or, for non-Welsh speakers, that’s ‘Happy St David’s Day’! St David’s Day seems the perfect opportunity to remember the six Welsh battalions which served in Macedonia with the British Salonika Force.
Continue reading “‘Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus’”A narrow squeak …
Today is my grandfather’s birthday. Were he still alive, Fred would be 133 years old! Back in 1982 I was working abroad, but took the opportunity of a short trip home to spend some time with Fred and we talked about his army service and I made notes. I am so glad I did as he died a few months later. Whilst there is so much more that I could have found out, I am pleased that I do have some first-hand accounts and it’s one of these I want to share with you today.
Continue reading “A narrow squeak …”Another church …
… another memorial. On a recent jaunt to London I found myself in St Mary’s Church, Battersea, for a jazz gig. It’s a fine Georgian Church right by the Thames and is the burial place of Benedict Arnold, general of the American Revolutionary War who had the ‘distinction’ of serving on both sides!
Continue reading “Another church …”Celebrating a Salonika VC Winner
The Victoria Cross was first introduced on 29th January 1856 to honour acts of valour during the Crimean War. Two VCs were awarded in the Macedonian campaign, one in 1916 and one in 1918. It’s the first of these, to Private Hubert William Lewis of 11/Welsh, that I want to celebrate today.
Continue reading “Celebrating a Salonika VC Winner”The Jews of Salonika
Modern Thessaloniki seems a quintessentially Greek city but, during the First World War, it was a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural city which, just a few years before, had been part of the Ottoman empire. It was especially a Jewish city.
Continue reading “The Jews of Salonika”A little bit of Salonika in … Brussels
Taking advantage of a Eurostar ticket sale, Mrs B and I recently enjoyed a jaunt to Belgium, with a few days in Brussels and a few in Ieper (Ypres). Our last night found us in a hotel close to Bruxelles-Midi (Zuid) station, where we would be taking the Eurostar home the next day, and where we had ended our train journey from Ieper (train from Poperinge, changing at Gent-Sint-Pieters for Brussels).
Continue reading “A little bit of Salonika in … Brussels”New Book Out Today!
You may recall that back in September I alerted you to the promised publication of a new book about the Macedonian campaign, written by Jon Lewis and published by Helion & Company. I am pleased to say that, since then, I have been in touch with Jon who is a member of the Society. Jon tells me that the book is being released today. We congratulate him on the culmination of many years of research and hard work and wish him well with the book.
Continue reading “New Book Out Today!”Happy New Year!
We wish all our members, friends, their families and loved ones all the very best for a happy and healthy 2023. And we send special Hogmanay greetings to our Scottish members and friends.
Continue reading “Happy New Year!”“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer!
Continue reading ““Now, Dasher! now, Dancer!”… now Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”
Salonika Campaign Society, 1915-1918 