Category: Faces of Salonika

A series of images of those – from all sides – who took part in, or witnessed, the First World War campaign in Macedonia from 1915 to 1918.

Faces of Salonika : Somerset Miners

This rather small and tatty picture – another eBay purchase – shows a group of men sitting on a quayside, which may be Salonika. The mixture of service dress (as worn in the UK and on the Western Front) with a sun helmet would certainly be appropriate for men of the BSF after about mid-1916. The extremes of the Macedonian climate make all sorts of combinations of dress possible which, for me, is one of the fascinations of the campaign. Continue reading “Faces of Salonika : Somerset Miners”

Faces of Salonika : Bill Devereux and the Great Fire

My thanks go to Richard Devereux who provided this photo of his grandfather, Bill, enjoying a cigarette in the ruins of Salonika in the aftermath of the Great Fire, having done his bit to help.

Continue reading “Faces of Salonika : Bill Devereux and the Great Fire”

Faces of Salonika : Luigi Villari, Italian Army Liaison Officer

Luigi Villari (1876–1959) was an Italian historian, traveller and diplomat. He worked in the Italian Foreign Office and was later a newspaper correspondent. Villari served as Italy’s Vice-Consul in three American cities between 1906 and 1910. He devoted most of his life to the study of international problems, more especially to the relations between Italy and the English-speaking countries (Wikipedia). Continue reading “Faces of Salonika : Luigi Villari, Italian Army Liaison Officer”

Faces of Salonika : Refugees

Refugees fleeing conflict are rarely out of the news today, but this is not a new phenomenon. With the Balkans facing its third war since 1912 it is hardly surprising that there were communities of refugees across the region, although they are rarely mentioned. Continue reading “Faces of Salonika : Refugees”

Faces of Salonika : Corporal Sidney James Robinson, 4/KRRC

Further to my centenary post of 18 December – Remembering Corporal Sidney Robinson, KRRC, and comrades who died one hundred years ago – I am delighted to have heard from Sidney’s grandson, Mark Robinson, again. Continue reading “Faces of Salonika : Corporal Sidney James Robinson, 4/KRRC”

A Scottish Soldier Identified – 100 Years On!

Although we are now in 2017 I still have material relating to 1916. My thanks go to Alex Mair who kindly contacted the SCS about a familiar photograph from that year. Continue reading “A Scottish Soldier Identified – 100 Years On!”

Christmas Greeting 1916 from the Salonica Army

On behalf of the Salonika Campaign Society I wish our members, friends and visitors a very happy and peaceful Christmas and all the very best for 2017. We hope you will stay with us as the centenary commemorations continue. Notable events to be remembered in 2017 are the bloody First Battle of Doiran (April/May) and Salonika’s Great Fire (August). We will also do our best to remember some of the smaller events – and the people involved – which would otherwise be forgotten.

Continue reading “Christmas Greeting 1916 from the Salonica Army”

Next Stop Salonika! Wessex Royal Engineers, December 1916

An interesting postcard this – purchased on eBay – in that it was taken in the UK but has a very clear Salonika connection. It is labelled: Wessex “Salonica” Draft. Dec 1916. Continue reading “Next Stop Salonika! Wessex Royal Engineers, December 1916”