The author … here gives a magnificently graphic description of the inexorable fire which swept over the city in August 1917. Mr Collinson Owen at this time was editor of the soldier’s newspaper “The Balkan News”, and with the characteristic resource of a keen journalist only missed two days’ publication through the ravage of his office and printing works.
Continue reading “The Great Fire : I Saw Salonika Burn, 18 August 1917”
A BBC news item which may be of interest, especially if you’re visiting the region:
My thanks go to Richard Power who has sent me the link to his centenary blog – George’s War Letters – in which he is publishing, in real-time, the war-time letters of his Great Uncle, George Power. Continue reading “George’s War Letters, 1914-1919”
Fred, my grandfather, spent the First World War in the Army Cyclist Corps but, in truth, he was – at heart – a ‘Suffolk’. Before getting on his bike he spent nearly eight years as a regular soldier in the First Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment, preceded by a short spell in the 4th (Militia) Battalion. So you will understand why the Suffolk Regiment – especially 1/Suffolk – is of particular interest to me.
I’m pleased to say that Under the Devil’s Eye – The British Military Experience in Macedonia 1915-1918 by Alan Wakefield (SCS Chairman) and Simon Moody (SCS founding Editor) is back in print. Continue reading “Back in print : Under the Devil’s Eye”
I keep a regular eye on items for sale on eBay with a Salonika connection. It’s usually just postcards and bits of Zeppelin but, every now and again, something unusual and exciting pops up. Continue reading “Salonika watercolours for sale”
This series of fifteen minute programmes on BBC Radio Four is not to be missed. Continue reading “Not to be missed : Voices of the First World War”
As Canada celebrates 150 years since confederation, it seems appropriate to remember the role played by Canadian medical services in the Macedonian campaign. I believe these were Nos. 4 and 5 General Hospitals and No. 1 Stationary Hospital, but please correct me if I am wrong. Continue reading “Celebrating ‘Canada 150’”
My thanks go to SCS member Harry Fecitt who provided an article about 1/12th Battalion (Pioneers) The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment in Macedonia, which recently appeared here as part of our online commemorations of the First Battle of Doiran:
Continue reading “9th (Service) Battalion East Lancashire Regiment in Macedonia”
By Harry Fecitt MBE TD
We were fortunate also in getting during April the 1/12th Battalion The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, which came to us as our Pioneer Battalion, under a most capable officer, Lieutenant Colonel Beckett. They were a hard-bitten, thirsty lot of Lancashire miners, but what they could do with a spade was a perfect revelation. The Division owed a great deal to this fine Battalion for the splendid work they did on the Vimy Ridge, and I attribute our comparatively low casualty returns to the rapidity with which these pioneers, assisted by the various battalions, managed to lower the depth of the trenches eighteen inches in record time.
Major General E.S. Bulfin CB, Commander 60th Division, France 1916.
Salonika Campaign Society, 1915-1918 