News from the Salonika Campaign Society, 1915-1918.
Despite some rainy days recently, the weather was kind to those attending a joint National Trust, Salonika Campaign Society service of Remembrance at Sandham Memorial Chapel earlier today. Thanks are owed to the National Trust team at Sandham for organising the event and the Rev Mark Christian for officiating. Also to those members of the Society who attended the service, and who enjoyed a convivial lunch afterwards.
HRH The Duchess of Gloucester opened the 98th Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey on Thursday 5th November 2026. The event, which marks the start of the nation’s Remembrance commemorations, has been held every year since 1928, when the Poppy Factory brought a tray of poppies and a collecting tin to the grounds of St Margaret’s Church. Only a handful of poppies were planted around a single cross, but it began a tradition that has grown over the decades, and now a sea of scarlet poppies covers St Margaret’s churchyard in the Abbey grounds each November.
Chair of the Salonika Campaign Society, Alan Wakefield, represented the British Salonika Army plot. Attending also were Society members Darren Rolfe, Jonathan Saunders and John Taylor.
The Field of Remembrance will remain open until daily Sunday 15th November, and members of the public are invited to visit and to plant their own tributes.
A reminder (another, I know!) to all SCS members that the 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) is scheduled to take place tomorrow, Tuesday 3 November at 7:30pm. (UK time) The meeting will take place online, enabling members to attend wherever they live.
Should you wish to join the meeting, please visit this page where you will find further details and a registration form. Once registered, joining details for the online meeting will be emailed to you.
A reminder to all SCS members that the 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 3 November at 7:30pm. The meeting will take place online, enabling members to attend wherever they live.
To register your intention to join the meeting, please visit this page where you will find further details and a registration form.
It is 108 years since the signing of the Armistice of Salonica at 10:50pm on 29 September 1918 between Bulgaria and the Allied Powers at the General Headquarters of the Allied Army of the Orient.
And, in keeping with our intention to publish updates to the bibliography on the anniversary of the Armistice, we are very pleased to announce the publication of a new and updated version of the comprehensive bibliography of the Salonika Campaign.
Our thanks to SCS member Keith Roberts for his continued work in establishing and maintaining this valuable resource.
You can find out more and download, free of charge, Version 7 of the bibliography via this page.
The SCS Battlefield Tour 2026 is well underway, with visits to historic sites and acts of commemoration taking place across the former Salonika front.
The overall theme of this year’s tour is the role of the Royal Engineers with the British Salonika Force (BSF). Locations on the tour include the Doiran battlefield, where the BSF suffered around 35% of its total battle casualties; the Struma Valley, where XVI Corps faced not only their Bulgarian adversaries but also the ever-present threat of endemic malaria; and Kosturino Ridge, where the 10th (Irish) Division made a stand during the winter of 1915.
Here are just a few photographs from the tour so far.
For more photos, and to follow the progress of the tour, visit the Salonika 1915-18 Facebook page.
Members will no doubt have enjoyed the satisfying thud of New Mosquito Issue 54 landing on their doormats over the past few days.
This issue includes information about the forthcoming Annual and Annual General Meetings, along with features on ‘The Role of the 143rd Heavy Battery’, ‘William Wheeler’s War’, ‘Travelling Home on the Y Scheme’, and much more. There are also the regular favourites, including ‘Society News’ and, of course, ‘Noah’s Mule Column’.
If you haven’t yet received your member’s copy of the New Mosquito #54 please do get in touch here and we’ll be happy to look into it.
The summer edition of the Society’s occasional newsletter has just been published and sent to almost 600 subscribers – both members and non-members of the Society. This, and past editions, can be read here.
If you haven’t already, you can subscribe to the newsletter here.
There are just a few places still available on the Salonika Campaign Society Battlefield Tour this coming September. So, if you have never explored the old haunts of the British Salonika Force or fancy making a return, here’s your chance!
Led by Alan Wakefield, the Salonika Campaign Society is offering a chance to visit key sites associated with British efforts during the Salonika Campaign, 1915-1918. The overall theme of the tour will be the role of the Royal Engineers with the British Salonika Force. Locations will include the Doiran battlefield, where the BSF suffered 35% of its total battle casualties, the Struma Valley, where XVI Corps faced the threat of endemic malaria as well as their Bulgarian adversaries and Kosturino Ridge, where 10th (Irish) Division made a stand in the Winter of 1915. Time will also be spent on the Birdcage Line, built to defend the city and port of Salonika from Bulgarian attack in 1915-1916. We will also attend commemorations to remember all those who served and died during the campaign.
Salonika Campaign Society Battlefield Tour
20 – 29 September 2026
The ‘Sappers in Salonika’ Tour
Sunday 20 September
• Tour begins late morning with meeting at Thessaloniki airport
• Ceremony of Remembrance at CWGC Kirechkoi-Hortakoi Military Cemetery
• Overnight in Doiran
Monday 21 September
• Visits to La Tortue; Petit Couronne; Hill 340 – to include RE involvement in raids and major operations against Petit Couronne
• Overnight in Doiran
Tuesday 22 September
• A Day on Kosturino Ridge
– Rocky Peak and Ormanli village
– Memesli village
– Site of Kajali village
– Crete Rivet and Crete Simonet
– 10th (Irish) Division Memorial
• Overnight in Doiran
Wednesday 23 September
• Visit the 22nd Division Memorial
• Visit to the ‘Devil’s Eye’ Observation Post on Grand Couronne
• Visit to The Hilt – key position in Bulgarian second line
• Overnight in Doiran
Thursday 24 September
• Doiran Memorial & Cemetery
• Dova Tepe Fort in Krusha Balkan Hills
• Triada – British artillery position (Struma campaign overview)
• Outpost Line – Between villages of Anagennisi (Cuculuk) / Vamvakia (Nevolyen) / Neo Tyroloi (Topolova)
• Overnight in Serres
Friday 25 September
• Komarjan Bridge – a study of RE bridging & river crossing methods
• Kilo 70 old Serres Road – RE work on Line of Communication
• CWGC Struma Cemetery & XVI Corps HQ
• Visit to Strimoniko (formerly Orliak) to discuss RE role in signals and lines of communications
• Overnight in Kilkis
Saturday 26 September
• Horseshoe Hill (7th Ox & Bucks action 17-18 August 1916)
• Pip Ridge (from the Greek side)
• Bowls Barrow [time allowing]
• Overnight in Kilkis
Sunday 27 September
• Attend Official Commemorations at the Five Nations Memorial, Polykastro
• CWGC Karasouli Cemetery
• Kilindir (now Kilindria) railway station – to discuss RE role in railway operating
• Overnight in Thessaloniki
Monday 28 September
• Birdcage line – including 99th Field Coy. bridge position
• Lembet Road Allied Military Cemetery
• Thessaloniki Port
• Overnight in Thessaloniki
Tuesday 29 September
• End of tour
If you are interested in joining the tour please contact SCS Chair, Alan Wakefield, for further details: aj.wakefield[at]talktalk.net or via our contact page.
Led by Alan Wakefield, the Salonika Campaign Society is offering a chance to visit key sites associated with British efforts during the Salonika Campaign, 1915-1918.
The overall theme of the tour will be the role of the Royal Engineers with the British Salonika Force.
Locations will include the Doiran battlefield, where the BSF suffered 35% of its total battle casualties; the Struma Valley, where XVI Corps faced the threat of endemic malaria as well as their Bulgarian adversaries; and Kosturino Ridge, where 10th (Irish) Division made a stand in the Winter of 1915. Time will also be spent on the Birdcage Line, built to defend the city and port of Salonika from Bulgarian attack in 1915-1916. We will also attend commemorations to remember all those who served and died during the campaign.
If you are interested in joining the tour please contact SCS Chair, Alan Wakefield, to get your name on the emailing list for further details: aj.wakefield@talktalk.net
This information is also available as a PDF file for easier downloading and printing:
