This is not an exhaustive study of how the troops of XVI Corps celebrated the Christmas of 1916 but, rather, a brief seasonal offering taken from two War Diaries that I have to hand. Happy Christmas! Continue reading “Christmas 1916 in the Struma Valley”
Tag: 1916
Events during the year 1916.
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”
The Sound of Christmas, 1916
A traditional Greek tune used in ‘Aladdin in Macedonia’, first performed in 1916 by 85th Field Ambulance at the Kopriva Palace Theatre in the Struma Valley. Continue reading “The Sound of Christmas, 1916”
Christmas 1916 : Aladdin in Macedonia
A pantomime in two acts, given by members of the 85th Field Ambulance to the 28th Division, Christmas 1916 in the Struma Valley. Continue reading “Christmas 1916 : Aladdin in Macedonia”
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”
Remembering Corporal Sidney Robinson, KRRC, and comrades who died one hundred years ago
One hundred years ago today, Corporal Sidney Robinson and three riflemen from 4th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps were killed in a desperate struggle whilst on patrol near Neohori (now Amfipoli) at the southern end of the Struma Valley. Continue reading “Remembering Corporal Sidney Robinson, KRRC, and comrades who died one hundred years ago”
One hundred years ago: the formation of 16th Corps Cyclist Battalion
One hundred years ago this week, three divisional cyclist companies in the Struma Valley were merged to form the 16th Corps Cyclist Battalion (Army Cyclist Corps). Continue reading “One hundred years ago: the formation of 16th Corps Cyclist Battalion”
Faces of Salonika : French soldiers in The Birdcage
As the French were the senior partners in the Armées Alliées d’Orient, it seems appropriate to include a photo of French soldiers, early on in this series. Continue reading “Faces of Salonika : French soldiers in The Birdcage”
One hundred years on : two Salonika graves
On a visit to the Allied Cemetery in Thessaloniki in April 2016, I was struck by two graves from 1916, both non-battle casualties. I offer them here for Armistice Day. Continue reading “One hundred years on : two Salonika graves”
Centenary of the first Salonika Victoria Cross
Northern Greece, 22/23 October 1916
In a … raid on the night of 22/23 October 1916, 300 men of the 11th Welsh raided an enemy strongpoint known as The Dorsale, near Machukovo. the Battalion had never been in action before and gave a very good account of itself, destroying a machine-gun emplacement and bringing back eighteen prisoners. During the raid, Pte Hubert [‘Stokey’] William Lewis was wounded three times but refused to retire from the enemy trenches. he went on to capture three Germans and during the withdrawal brought in the wounded 2/Lt Turner from No Man’s Land. For his bravery and devotion to duty, Lewis was awarded the first Victoria Cross of the Salonika Campaign.
From ‘Under the Devil’s Eye’ by Wakefield & Moody (Sutton Publishing, 2004 p132). Continue reading “Centenary of the first Salonika Victoria Cross”
Salonika Campaign Society, 1915-1918 