Author: Andy Hutt

Andy's interest in the campaign comes from his grandfather, Arthur, who served in Salonika as a sapper with the Royal Engineers from 1916-1918. Opinions expressed in these posts are personal and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Society.

NEW : A Salonika Campaign Bibliography

SCS member Keith Roberts has been compiling a list of books in English about the campaign. At present it is limited to books, so items from regimental journals and the like are not included. He has checked, amongst other things, the bibliographies in the better known books on the campaign and searched some online catalogues using key words.

A first version – with nearly 200 books listed – has been produced for review to make good any omissions. Once this review process is over we will make it available in a searchable format on this website – hopefully before the summer – with the expectation of providing occasional updates to capture further discoveries and new publications. This will be a valuable resource for anyone interested in this neglected campaign of the First World War.

If you think you might be able to add to this bibliography please contact Keith for a draft copy on  scsbiblio@gmail.com.

A photograph of a selection of books about the Salonika campaign

The Story of the LZ85 Compass

My thanks go to Bernard Green who contacted the Society to tell us about his book on Zeppelins, which includes a section on LZ85 – brought down over Salonika on 5 May 1916 – and, in particular, its compass. Bernard very kindly sent a copy of the book so that I can tell you more about it. Continue reading “The Story of the LZ85 Compass”

1st February 1918 : Dear M …

After rather a gap, here is the final postcard that I have from Jack to Miss Hards. There is probably research to be done as we have her name and address – which could even lead to identifying the elusive Jack – but that’s for another day. In the meantime, I can tell you that ‘The Hall, Ashford’, is still standing and is on the market! Continue reading “1st February 1918 : Dear M …”

Missing SRA plaque

We have been contacted by Phil, a volunteer on the Imperial War Museum’s War Memorials Register Project.  They have a record of a memorial plaque that was placed in St John’s Church, Hanley, Staffordshire by the Salonika Reunion Association in memory of those who served and died in Salonika.

The church is now an antiques centre and Phil has spoken to the owner who has confirmed that the plaque is no longer there.  He said that a number of plaques were removed during the period when the church was closed.

A quick search of The Mosquito – the publication of the SRA  – has not revealed any mention of the church, the plaque or any dedication ceremony, so it remains a mystery. Does anyone out there know anything about the plaque? Please contact us if you do and we will pass the information onto Phil.

The Doiran Memorial.
The Doiran Memorial serves the dual purpose of a Battle Memorial of the British Salonika Force (for which a large sum of money was subscribed by the officers and men of that force), and a place of commemoration for more than 2,000 Commonwealth servicemen who died in Macedonia and whose graves are not known. The memorial was designed by Sir Robert Lorimer with sculpture by Walter Gilbert. It was unveiled by Sir George Macdonogh on 25 September 1926. It stands on Colonial Hill in northern Greece, overlooking the lake and town of Dojran in Northern Macedonia. Photo by the editor, March 2016.

Happy Lunar New Year!

I wish you all the very best for the Year of the Rat. You can find out more about the Rat and the Lunar New Year in Vietnam here. If, like me, you were born in a ‘Rat Year’ you are likely to be approachable and optimistic, at ease and not argumentative. You want to be liked and are happy to be helped by others. Apparently we ‘Rats’ have the power of prediction, observation, and acute vision. I’m very short-sighted so clearly something wrong!

Continue reading “Happy Lunar New Year!”