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Kiwis in Salonika

Having been taken by surprise by Anzac Day and with nothing appropriate prepared, I will simply share this link to a fascinating series of articles about the New Zealand contribution to the campaign in Macedonia:

I know I have some interesting material on Australians in the campaign, but that’s for another day!

New Stanley Spencer Exhibition in Cookham

A new exhibition at the Stanley Spencer Gallery in Cookham explores the often complex relationships he forged with the group of people who supported him and enabled his existence financially, emotionally and artistically, what drove them to collect his work and how he was not the distant figure some may believe him to be. Continue reading “New Stanley Spencer Exhibition in Cookham”

Remembering William George Arscott, 10/Devonshire

William George Arscott was remembered in two moving ceremonies on the centenary of his death on 29 January 1918, one in his home village of Drewsteignton, Devon, the other at the Sarigol Military Cemetery in northern Greece, where he is buried. Continue reading “Remembering William George Arscott, 10/Devonshire”

1st Garrison Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment in Salonika

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”

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.