Remembering 180629 Sapper Harry Ernest Wilkinson, Royal Engineers

Some months ago the Society was contacted by Harry Wilkinson’s granddaughter who wanted to know more about his war service. Little is know about it, except that ‘he fought both against and later with the Bulgarians’ and ended up in Constantinople. Happily, he returned home safely.

Continue reading “Remembering 180629 Sapper Harry Ernest Wilkinson, Royal Engineers”

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”

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.

Christmas 1917 : It’s panto time again!

In Christmas 1917 the indefatigable 85th Field Ambulance took to the stage again with their third and final pantomime of the campaign – Bluebeard. This is what 2nd Lt Frank Kenchington, RFA, had to say about it in his introduction to Music from Macedonia by Charles H B Jacques, published after the war.

Continue reading “Christmas 1917 : It’s panto time again!”