If you look though our order of battle of the British Salonika Force you will not find any mention of the Northamptonshire Regiment. This being the case, I was puzzled to receive an enquiry from Simon Gale who has documentary evidence that his great-grandfather, of 1st Garrison Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment, had been in Salonika. Continue reading “1st Garrison Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment in Salonika”
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.
BBC Four on Sunday 4th at 10pm : Arena – Stanley (Spencer) and His Daughters
The artist Stanley Spencer, who served with the BSF and produced the marvellous paintings at Sandham Memorial Chapel (NT), is the subject of a television documentary as part of the Arena strand on BBC Four at 10pm on Sunday 4th February. Focussing as it does on his family and private life, it is unlikely to feature much about the Salonika campaign – but you never know! Read more about the documentary here:
Faces of Salonika : Frank Whitehead, 13/Manchesters
My thanks go to Caroline Booth and Joseph Travis for sharing with us their fascinating and detailed blog – A Year of War – about their grandfather/great-grandfather, Frank Whitehead, who served in Salonika in 1918. Frank served with 13/Manchesters, which was in 22nd Division, 66th Brigade on the Doiran Front. Continue reading “Faces of Salonika : Frank Whitehead, 13/Manchesters”
Review : Daring All Things: The autobiography of George Kendall (1881-1961)
At the end of 2016 we announced the imminent publication of Daring All Things: The autobiography of George Kendall (1881-1961). George Kendall was a hugely experienced war chaplain who briefly served in Salonika with 22nd Division before succumbing to the inevitable malaria and dysentery. In the post-war years he was closely involved in the development of war cemeteries, which culminated in the process to select the body of the ‘Unknown Warrior’. This is a good opportunity to remind you that the book is for sale and to share with you this recent review from Church Times:
The book is published by Helion & Company Ltd and we can expect to hear more about it this year as we approach the centenary of the end of the conflict.
Mule Lines : latest news on Muffin
If you are a regular visitor to this web site, or you read our excellent journal, The New Mosquito, you will know that at the start of the centenary we ‘adopted’ Muffin, a rescued mule at a Norfolk horse sanctuary. This is in recognition of the vital role played by mules in the campaign, by keeping the troops supplied and evacuating casualties. We have received this news about Muffin from Redwings Horse Sanctuary …
Salonika Battlefield Tour : 28 September – 7 October 2018
Don’t forget the Society’s own centenary tour in the autumn, which includes the commemorations to mark the end of hostilities in Macedonia. You will find full details, including how to reserve a place, by following this link.
Salonika Battlefield Tour : 23-28 April 2018
The Cultural Experience of Salisbury is running a six day centenary tour in April 2018 entitled, Salonika – War in the Birdcage, led by our very own Alan Wakefield. You will find more details online here:
Sid & Elsie : love across the miles and down the years 7
Happy New Year! This is the final postcard from Sid to Elsie, simply dated ‘Salonica 1918’. My thanks, once again, go to Wendy Nicholson for sharing these touching cards with the SCS.
Continue reading “Sid & Elsie : love across the miles and down the years 7”
Salonika, Christmas, 1917
Fred Warburton, serving with an ammunition column on the Doiran Front, told this story of Christmas 1917 when he and his comrades were looking forward to the geese that they had raised – and guarded jealously – from goslings.
Compliments of the season. With love, George xxxx
1917 was clearly a good year for Christmas cards from Salonika as I have three in my collection. This one wasn’t produced specifically for the BSF, like that in my previous post, but is a commercially produced, seasonal postcard. It’s only that the sender wrote ‘Salonica 1917’ on the front that links it to the campaign.
I will echo the sentiments of George to his family or friends in Leeds, and wish you all ‘the compliments of the season’. I hope you will continue to visit the SCS website as we enter the final year of the centenary – The Year of Victory.
Continue reading “Compliments of the season. With love, George xxxx”
Salonika Campaign Society, 1915-1918 