Help us promote Lemnos' link to Anzac - Make a donation now

Our Committee is raising funds to create a lasting legacy telling the story of Lemnos' link to Gallipoli and Australia's Anzac story. Our projects include the Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial in Albert Park, the publication of a major new historical and pictorial publication and more. To make a donation you can also deposit directly by direct debit into the Committee's bank account: Account Name: Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee Inc; Bank: Bendigo Bank; Account No: 188010037; BSB No: 633000; Include your surname in the reference section. For further information on our legacy projects or to make a donation please contact either Lee Tarlamis 0411553009 or Jim Claven 0409402388M

Monday 28 April 2014

Rare Film Footage of the Anzacs at Gallipoli - AWM

Anzac Cove 1915. Photo AWM

Here is some rare footage of the Anzacs at Gallipoli, from the Australian War Memorial archive. Click here.
 This footage is believed to have been shot by Mr. Ellis Ashmead-Bartlett, the English journalist who gave Australia its first description of the ANZAC troops at Gallipoli. His colourful and stirring accounts of Australian soldiers' bravery, particularly of their landing at ANZAC Cove, helped give rise to the legend of Anzac. Bartlett filmed live action in and around Anzac Cove from July to September 1915, and the resulting footage, screened in 1916 under the title With the Dardanelles Expedition : Heroes of Gallipoli, was an instant success with audiences in England and Australia. A print of this film was acquired by the Memorial in 1919. However the "new" footage shown here was not a part of the film as it currently stands. It was discovered as an unidentified film segment within a compilation of footage related to World War 1 , sold to the Memorial in 1938. The seller of the footage was unable to shed light on its origins.
We can only guess why the footage was removed from the Dardanelles film. Although it cannot be authenticated to an absolute certainty, the most probable origin of the footage is that Bartlett shot it, because he was the only person known to have operated a moving film camera at Gallipoli. However we can be grateful that by whatever means, this film was preserved to add to our precious sum of knowledge of this iconic campaign. Film accession number : AWM F08484 .

Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee

New Documentary - Gallipoli From Above: The Untold Story - Lemnos Mentioned



A new documentary was shown last weekend on the ABC. It's called Gallipoli from Above.

The great thing about the documentary is that it mentions and shows Lemnos - the ships in the harbour and the troops practicing their landings in 1915.
The documentary focuses on the landings at Anzac Cove and the intelligence and planning that was undertaken by the Anzacs - exploding the myth that the Anzacs landed on the wrong beach, faced withering fire and sustain large casualties on the beaches.
That's why it is good that despite its focus on the landings, it still mentions and shows Lemnos. Well done.
ABC promo on the documentary:
"Gallipoli from Above: The Untold Story is the true story of how a team of Australian officers used aerial intelligence, emerging technology and innovative tactics to plan the landing at Anzac Cove. Generals William Throsby Bridges and Colonel Brudenell White were charged with the difficult task of landing 20,000 ANZAC troops on a heavily defended and precipitous shoreline. They used an aircraft carrier, a tethered balloon and a squadron of biplanes to gather detailed information on the disposition of the Turkish defenders and developed a plan for the landing that avoided significant casualties. It is now nearly 100 years since the landing and hundreds of books, movies and documentaries have failed to grasp the significance of the ANZAC achievement. Instead, the mythology has clouded the real story of how these two influential Australian officers took control of the landing using every innovation they could muster to safely land their men on Z Beach. Gallipoli from Above: The Untold Story will change forever the way Australians think about Gallipoli"

For the History Channel link with short of the documentary, click here.
To watch the documentary on ABC Iview (until 9th May) click here.
You can purchase the DVD from the ABC Shop On-line, click here.

Sunday 27 April 2014

Stop Press - New Lemnos Gallipoli Fundraiser Announced!

St Kilda Town Hall - the location of our forthcoming fundraiser
The Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee proudly announces our new fundraising dinner dance and fundraising event.
This will be our premier event for 2014.
If you want to support the fundraising for our Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial project make a reservation now!
It will be held at St Kilda Town Hall on June 28.
Tickets only $75 - for a night of music, dancing, 3 course meal plus a few surprises!
Further details will be announced soon.
Tickets are strictly limited.
To make a reservation, please contact Terry Kanellos on 0414 209 674.


Friday 25 April 2014

Lemnos Anzac Conference 2013 - New Photos from Nikolaos Karantonakis

The Inaugural Lemnos Anzac Conference, Portianou Conference Centre, 2013. Photo Nikolaos Karantonakis 2013

One of the features of our inaugural Anzac Conference on Lemnos last year was the assisted we were given by the very talented Greek Australian photographer, Nikolaos Karantonakis.
He has kindly supplied some of his stunning black and white photographs to the Committee. If you reproduce these, please acknowledge Nikolaos' work.
Nikolaos is working on producing a photographic book on Greece. We look forward to seeing the fruits of his labours.
On behalf of the Committee - and Joe Caputo and myself - thanks to Nikolaos for your help.
The Mayor of Lemnos addresses the Conference. Photo Nikolaos Karantonakis 2013
Lee Tarlamis MP addresses the Conference. Photo Nikolaos Karantonakis 2013

Lee Tarlamis addresses the Conference, the Conference chairman, Deputy Mayor of Lemnos, Demetri Boulotis. Photo Nikolaos Karantonakis 2013
Some of the Conference participants in Portianou. Photo Nikolaos Karantonakis 2013

Some of the Conference participants outside the Conference Centre. Photo Nikolaos Karantonakis 2013
Jim Claven addresses the Conference. Photo Nikolaos Karantonakis 2013
The Hon John Pandazopoulos MP addresses the Conference. Photo Nikolaos Karantonakis 2013

Jenny Mikakos MP addresses the Conference. Photo Nikolaos Karantonakis 2013

Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee

The Lemnos Contribution - Neos Kosmos

Victorian Premiers Anzac Student Prize winners and tour group at East Mudros Military Cemetery, Anzac Service, April 2014. Photo courtesy Anzac Student Prize

Last week Neos Kosmos published my story about the visit of the Victorian Anzac Prize students to Lemnos and the Anzac service held there a couple of weeks ago.
To read the story please click here.

Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee

The Gallipoli Catastrophe Documentary

Ari Burni Military Cemetery, near Anzac cove, the Sphinx behind. Photo Jim Claven 2013

Over this Anzac weekend have a look at this British documentary by the History Channel - The Gallipoli Catastrophe. Quite good.
HC The Gallipoli Catastrophe Documentary
Thanks to Andreas Kolaitis for finding it for us.

Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee

Diggers' Time on Greek Island remembered - Port Phillip Leader Story

The Port Phillip has ran an article on the Lemnos Anzac connection for its Anzac Day edition.
They include some details of the story and link to our Committee weblog.
They also advertise our important upcoming fundraising dinner to be held at the St Kilda Town Hall on June 28. Tickets $75; contact Major Terry Kanellos on 0414 209 674.

The article provided a link to our weblog as well as extracted some of our photographs from the site. To see the Leader's Remembering Lemnos photo gallery, click here.

To read the Port Phillip Leader article, click here
Thanks to Leader journalist Dana McCauley for her efforts.

Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee

Lemnos Addresses feature at Anzac Services Across Melbourne

The beautiful Oakleigh Cenotaph in Oakleigh. It was dedicated by General Ned Herring, who served in Greece in both the First and Second World Wars. Photo Jim Claven 2014

Lemnos' role in the Anzac story has been commemorated in Melbourne this Anzac Day.
This ANZAC Day as we reflect on the sacrifices of all our servicemen and women during past and present conflicts and remember their selfless contributions, we also remember those who never returned to their homes and loved ones in Australia like the 148 diggers who remain on the Island of Lemnos in its two Commonwealth Military Cemeteries – at East Mudros and at Portianou where they lie with their fellow 76 Anzacs from New Zealand. Lest We Forget.

Oakleigh Carnegie RSL Anzac Day Service - Lemnos' Anzac Story Honoured
I was the guest of the Oakleigh Carnegie RSL who held their inaugural dawn service ceremony at the Oakleigh Cenotaph. The service was a great success, with many dignitaries and local residents attending the service whihc commenced at 6.00am.
A highlight of the service was the catafalque party who ended the commemorative event with three salvo's from their rifles.
Along with other dignitaries, I layed a wreath on behlf of the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Commitee.
After the service, I gave a speech to the Anzac Service Breakfast to over 100 attendees. My speech explained the important role of Lemnos in the Anzac story, of the Australian nurses who served there in 1915 and the inter-action between the local Lemnians and the Anzacs on the Island. I also pointed out the connection between Oakleigh and Lemnos, telling the story of Private William Withers, whose family lived in William Street Oakleigh, who is buried on Lemnos at the East Mudros Military Cemetery.
I also pointed out that the connection between Australia and Greece in 1915 continued into WW2 and beyond with the major post-war migration to Australia from Greece. For this reason, it was particularly fitting to hold this lecture in Oakleigh, which is home to one of Melbourne's thriving Greek communities.

Oakleigh's Private William Withers grave at East Mudros Military Cemetery, Lemnos. Photo Jim Claven 2013.
If you would like a copy of my address, please click here.
If you would like a copy of the photographic booklet I produced for the address, please click here.
Below are some photos of the Oakleigh-Carnegie RSL Anzac Day Breakfast.
Jim Claven addresses the Oakleigh-Carnegie RSL Anac Day Breakfast.Photo Jim Barker
Jim Claven with Ann Barker Secretary and Hugh Gordon President of the Oakleigh-Carnegie RSL. Photo Jim Barker
The Anzac Day Service Breakfast room. Photo Jim Barker
The wreath from the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee laid at the Oakleigh Cenotaph.
We hope that this will be first of many more successful Anzac Dawn Services at Oakleigh.
On behalf of the Committee, I would like to thank the Oakleigh-Carnegie RSL for the invitation to address them at their Anzac Day breakfast. For information on the Oakleigh-Carnegie RSL please click here.
President Lee Tarlamis MP Addresses Anzac Commemorative Service at Dandenong's St John's College

Lee participated in the Anzac Commemoration School Assembly held at St John's Regional College in Dandenong on the eve of Anzac Day.
It was a fantastic event with the College Captains acting as MC's throughout the ceremony. The ceremony included a catafalque party and students performing Amazing Grace as well as the National Anthem. 
Lee laid a wreath Lee and addressed the assembly of more than 1,200 students, teachers and parents about the important role of the Greek Island of Lemnos and the story of the Australian diggers and nurses who were in Lemnos in 1915 and of those Anzac's who remain buried there in its war cemeteries. 
We congratulations go to the school for organising such a wonderful and successful event in memory of those who have and continue to serve and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
To find out more about St John's Regional College, click here St. John's Regional College
Anzac Commemorative Service, St John's Regional College. Photo St John's Regional College

Australian Military Nurses on Lemnos 1915 Lecture - Anzac Eve Address by Dr Kirsty Harris
On Anzac Day eve, members of the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee joined with members of Melbourne's Greek and nursing communities to listen to a lecture by one of Australia's pre-eminent scholars of Australia's military nursing history, Dr Kirsty Harris.The lecture was part of the Greek orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria's annual lecture program and sponsored by Melbourne's Ithacan Philanthropic Society.
The lecture told the story of the Australian nurses who served on Lemnos - as well as those on the hospital ships
It was great to see so many people who came to hear about the nurses work and their experiences during their time on Lemnos as well as to see some of the many photo's that were taken on the island in 1915. 
You can find out more by reading Dr Harris' book 'More Than Bombs and Bandages - Australian Army Nurses at work in World War I'. This is available from all good bookshops - as they say.


The Committee congratulates the Ithacan Philanthropic Society for sponsoring Dr Harris' address and of course Dr Harris on her excellent research.

Lest we forget

Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee

Tuesday 22 April 2014

Nurses on Lemnos 1915 - Free Lecture by Dr Kirsty Harris


As part of the Greek Orthodox Community Open Lecture series, Melbourne University's Dr Kirsty Harris will be lecturing on the Australian military nurses on Lemnos in 1915.
The free lecture will take place at 7.00 pm, this Thursday, 24th April 2014.
It will be held at the Ithacan  Philanthropic Society, L2, 329 Elisabeth Street Melbourne.
Dr Harris' lecture will tell the story of the Australian nurses serving in the Australian Army Nursing Service and the British Queen Alexandra Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve in 1915 who worked on, or transited through, the Aegean island of Lemnos during the Gallipoli campaign. This presentation outlines their work and their experiences during the unsuccessful landing on the peninsula. Dr Harris' PHD won the CEW Bean Prize.
All those interested in the Lemnos link to Anzac are urged to attend.
The Committee thanks to the Greek Orthodox Community for organising this important lecture.

To limk to the GOCV webpage on the lecture, click on the link below:
Too Awful for Words - the Australian Military Nurses on Lemnos 1915 - Lecture
Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee

Saturday 19 April 2014

Anzac Day commemorations East Mudros CWGC - News Report

The three ambassadors of Anzac with the major of Limnos Mr. Antonis Hadjidiamantis on the right. Photo Vassilis Triantafyllidis April 2014
Athenian journalist Vassilis Triantafyllidis has posted a report on the recent Anzac Service on Lemnos. He writes:
The annual Anzac Day commemoration of the fallen Australians, New Zealand and Canadian soldiers and nurses, commenced on Lemnos island, Greece, East Mudros commonwealth military cemetery.
April 4, 2014 -for more images of the CWGC cemeteries on Lemnos island, please refer to my other photostories on my profile. Thank you.
Early in the morning men of the Hellenic military helped officiate with the ceremony by setting up, the fallen soldier helmets, accompanied by 3 riffles and filled with incents.
Before the ceremony, the CWGC's gardening supervisor Mr. Paraskevas Tsoulos, taking care of the graves while the florist arrived with the wreaths. Memorial services started at 12:00 after his arrival of His Eminence, The Archibishop of Lemnos, Ierotheos.
The Ambassador of Australian Embassy to Greece Ms. Jenny Polyxeni Bloomfield, were accompanied by other officials by the AUS. government, i.e. The Australian representatives of the Premier and Cabinet, Veterans affairs officer Ms. Patricia Pollard, honourable Bill Sykes Victorian MP and tour leader and military officials i.e. Rear Admiral Michael van Balen of the Royal Australian Navy.
Also were in attendance, a group of students from a Vicroria AUS. school who won the annual "Premier's Spirit of Anzac Prize" commemoration and education competition. From all across the State of Victoria, 12 students were selected from nearly 500 entries, to receive the Prize of a study tour to Gallipoli,and the Western Front and this year, for the first time, to Lemnos, Greece !
The students at the Anzac Day ceremony at East Mudros, come from the capital city, Melbourne, and from large and small Victorian towns, much like the Anzacs themselves, determined that the sacrifice and service of their ancestors is understood and remembered. Anzac Day in Australia is a national day of commemoration, with ceremonies held in every Australian town and city.
Australian, New Zealand and Canadian officials also spoke of the courage and self defiance of the young men, from those Nations, still unshaven, willing to die for democracy during ww1.
A prize winner of the Victorian "Premier's spirit of Anzac prize" educational competition, Miss Bianca Gerrard of Beaufort Secondary College of Victoria state, spoke also of the self sacrificaion that these young boys, her age, for a better future.
At the end of the memorial service, Lemnos island officials, the Hellenic & Australian Armed Forces, Veteran affairs representatives and public attendees laid wreaths on memorial of the fallen soldiers, after keeping a moment of silence.
Also representing the Greek government, were the Chief of staff of the Hellenic National Defence Ministry, General Mr. Iliopoulos of the Greek Army.
The Canadian government was represented by the Ambassador of Canada to Rome.
CWGC East Mudros First World War cemetery is situated on the north east side of the city of Moudros and in the 1st kilometer out of the city, next to the Greek Civil cemetery of Moudros city. Of the 800 burials 649 are British. The cemetery, can also be reached by following the road traffic sign directions to Kaminia village.
ANZAC DAY Historical info:
ANZAC Day revives annually in April, on Limnos, commemorating those who fought and died at Gallipoli Peninsula campaign (battle of Gallipoli) during world war one, following Winston Churchill's plans in creating another war front, to force German powers to split their army, to support the Ottoman Empire.
Anzac Street on Lemnos, took its name from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps annual national day of remembrance. On ANZAC Day commemoration ceremonies take place in honor of all the fallen in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. Of the 11.421 Anzacs died 8.700 of them were Australian; the remainder were from New Nealand.
The centenary anniversary of the ANZACS is on 2015. Lemnos island played a very important role in the Anzac campaign and served as the main military base of the Anzacs. Punta cape/ Peninsula hosted the establishment of the Australian Hospitals including the first X-Ray equipment installation and other allied forces. The Armistice of Mudros (Moudros modern name) marked the end of the Gallipoli war in 1918. On 30 October 1918, Mudros gulf hosted HMS Agamemnon battleship, where the armistice was signed between the Ottoman Empire and the Allies.
In the summer of 2013, Limnos has started its preparations, in syncronisation with Melbourne's LGCC/ Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee, to promote Lemnos's connection with the Anzac legacy in the international media.
LGCC, is a Melbourne-based community organisation, committed to ensuring that the Anzac connection to the northern Aegean island of Lemnos is appropriately commemorated. Lemnos's Anzac heritage is often overlooked part of the Gallipoli Campaign.
Lemnos 1915 – Lest We Forget.
Further information can be found in LGCC website: www.LemnosGallipoliCC.blogspot.GR
Commonwealth War Graves Commission website: www.cwgc.org
The Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee thanks Vassilis for his lovely story and beautiful photographs.
Check out Vassilis' website for his beautiful photographs by clicking here.
Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee




Anzac Commemoration 2014 - Australian Ambassador's Address and Hellenic Navy Photographs


East Mudros Military Cemetery. Photo courtesy of Hellenic Navy, 2014

We have received a copy of the address of Her Excellency, the Ambassodor of Australia to the Helleniuc Republic, Mrs Jenny Blommfield. Her address delviered on Lemnos, at East Mudros Military Cemetery on 7th April 2014 is reproduced below:


Your Eminence Metropolitan of Lemnos and Agios Efstratios, Regional Councillor for Lemnos, Mayor of Lemnos, Excellencies Ambassadors of New Zealand and Canada, Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff, Deputy Chief of Navy of Australia, Mr Bill Sykes, representative of the Government of Victoria, dear veterans, dear teachers, dear students, dear friends

No legacy is more enduring for Australians or defines more who we are as a nation than the ANZAC legend - the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who fought on the Gallipoli peninsula in 1915 in Australia’s first major military campaign.

Today we remember their courage and sacrifice.

 And we honour the sacrifice of all those who have given their lives so that we may live in democracy and freedom.

We are here today to express our gratitude to the people of Lemnos – the main support base for the Gallipoli campaign, a place for Australian hospitals and nurses to offer refuge to the wounded soldiers weary from battle.  Here the ANZACs found the friendship, hospitality and support of the Lemnian people.  For many, Lemnos is their final resting place.

From Lemnos and Gallipoli in 1915 to the Battle of Crete in May 1941 and around the world, Australians and Greeks have fought to uphold our shared values with courage, with self-sacrifice, with mateship and with compassion.

So today, to the people of Lemnos, we express our nation’s deep appreciation.

And to all those - Australians, New Zealanders, Greeks and all our friends – who sacrificed their lives so that we may preserve our way of life, their courage, their selflessness, their compassion, their sense of service and duty, inspire us to live by those ideals.

We are delighted to welcome to Lemnos students from across Victoria who participated in the “Adopt a Digger” program and were awarded the Premier’s “Spirit of ANZAC Prize”, and to hear from them the stories of their “Diggers” resting here in Lemnos.

As you know, in 2015 we mark the Centenary of the Gallipoli campaign, of which Lemnos will be key part.  The centenary is a time to reflect, to bridge any differences and to build on our common bonds.  In this spirit, we welcome the collaboration of artists in the creation of the “Lemnos-Gallipoli Project”, an artistic work highlighting our common legacy which will be presented in all three countries as part of centenary commemorative events.

Dear friends, the enduring legacy of those who have sacrificed their lives is to be brave in the face of adversity, to help one another, to work together so that we may forge a better future for each other, for our nation and for future generations.

Today and forever, they live in our hearts.

Lest we forget. 
The following photographs have been supplied by the Hellenic Navy. To read their article in Greek on the Lemnos Anzac ceremony, click here.

The representatives of the Royal Australian Navy and Hellenic Republic Navy were also able to hold discussions in conjunction with their participation in the Lemnos Anzac service.


Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee

Australian Nurses support the Lemnos Gallipoli Project

Matron Grace Wilson and the Australian nurses of the 3rd Australian General Hospital arrive on Lemnos, August 1915. AWM

Following a presentation by myself and Lee Tarlamis, the Federal Secretary of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, wrote an article on the Lemnos nurses in the national journal of the Federation.
We are in discussions with the ANMF to see how Australia's nurses can help and support our project to ensure the service of the Australian nurses on Lemnos is not forgotten.
They join with the Alfred Hospital Nurses League in supporting our project.
If you would like to read the article by Lee Thomas, please click here.
Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee

Monday 14 April 2014

Lemnos - Australian Heriones of WW1 Speech at the Shrine

Join us for this compelling lecture recounting the lives of eight remarkable nurses whose resilience, courage and skill took them from Australia to Gallipoli, Lemnos and the Western Front. 
These women, represented in Susanna de Vries’ reprinted publication, Australian Heroines of World War One, had the courage and strength for which the Anzacs are renowned and the compassion and tenderness that only a woman can bring.
Sister Hilda Samsing from Melbourne became a whistle-blower when nursing aboard the hospital ship Gascon, outraged by the bungled evacuation of wounded ANZACs. She defied censorship and kept a very frank diary. Brisbane’s Grace Wilson, ordered to establish an emergency hospital on drought-stricken Lemnos Island, arrived there to find suffering ANZACs but no drinking water, tents or medical supplies. In France, Florence James- Wallace, Anne Donnell and Elsie Tranter nursed near the front line in Casualty Clearing Stations, treating soldiers with hideous wounds or blinded by mustard gas.
These are just a few of the stories that will be explored by Susanna in her talk which will bring light to the remarkable work of Australian nurses in the First World War.

Presenter: Susanna de Vries
Date: Tuesday 15 April, 12.30pm start
Cost: FREE, gold coin donation welcome
- See more at: http://www.shrine.org.au/Visit-the-Shrine/Talks-and-Events/AUSTRALIAN-HEROINES-OF-WORLD-WAR-ONE#sthash.4RpLg569.dpuf
Join us for this compelling lecture recounting the lives of eight remarkable nurses whose resilience, courage and skill took them from Australia to Gallipoli, Lemnos and the Western Front. 
These women, represented in Susanna de Vries’ reprinted publication, Australian Heroines of World War One, had the courage and strength for which the Anzacs are renowned and the compassion and tenderness that only a woman can bring.
Sister Hilda Samsing from Melbourne became a whistle-blower when nursing aboard the hospital ship Gascon, outraged by the bungled evacuation of wounded ANZACs. She defied censorship and kept a very frank diary. Brisbane’s Grace Wilson, ordered to establish an emergency hospital on drought-stricken Lemnos Island, arrived there to find suffering ANZACs but no drinking water, tents or medical supplies. In France, Florence James- Wallace, Anne Donnell and Elsie Tranter nursed near the front line in Casualty Clearing Stations, treating soldiers with hideous wounds or blinded by mustard gas.
These are just a few of the stories that will be explored by Susanna in her talk which will bring light to the remarkable work of Australian nurses in the First World War.

Presenter: Susanna de Vries
Date: Tuesday 15 April, 12.30pm start
Cost: FREE, gold coin donation welcome
- See more at: http://www.shrine.org.au/Visit-the-Shrine/Talks-and-Events/AUSTRALIAN-HEROINES-OF-WORLD-WAR-ONE#sthash.4RpLg569.dpuf

If you are free, please try to catch this address at the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance tomorrow.

Join us for this compelling lecture recounting the lives of eight remarkable nurses whose resilience, courage and skill took them from Australia to Gallipoli, Lemnos and the Western Front. 
These women, represented in Susanna de Vries’ reprinted publication, Australian Heroines of World War One, had the courage and strength for which the Anzacs are renowned and the compassion and tenderness that only a woman can bring.
Sister Hilda Samsing from Melbourne became a whistle-blower when nursing aboard the hospital ship Gascon, outraged by the bungled evacuation of wounded ANZACs. She defied censorship and kept a very frank diary. Brisbane’s Grace Wilson, ordered to establish an emergency hospital on drought-stricken Lemnos Island, arrived there to find suffering ANZACs but no drinking water, tents or medical supplies. In France, Florence James- Wallace, Anne Donnell and Elsie Tranter nursed near the front line in Casualty Clearing Stations, treating soldiers with hideous wounds or blinded by mustard gas.
These are just a few of the stories that will be explored by Susanna in her talk which will bring light to the remarkable work of Australian nurses in the First World War.

Presenter: Susanna de Vries
Date: Tuesday 15 April, 12.30pm start
Cost: FREE, gold coin donation welcome
- See more at: http://www.shrine.org.au/Visit-the-Shrine/Talks-and-Events/AUSTRALIAN-HEROINES-OF-WORLD-WAR-ONE#sthash.4RpLg569.dpuf


Join us for this compelling lecture recounting the lives of eight remarkable nurses whose resilience, courage and skill took them from Australia to Gallipoli, Lemnos and the Western Front. 
These women, represented in Susanna de Vries’ reprinted publication, Australian Heroines of World War One, had the courage and strength for which the Anzacs are renowned and the compassion and tenderness that only a woman can bring. 
Sister Hilda Samsing from Melbourne became a whistle-blower when nursing aboard the hospital ship Gascon, outraged by the bungled evacuation of wounded ANZACs. She defied censorship and kept a very frank diary. 
Brisbane’s Grace Wilson, ordered to establish an emergency hospital on drought-stricken Lemnos Island, arrived there to find suffering ANZACs but no drinking water, tents or medical supplies. 
In France, Florence James- Wallace, Anne Donnell and Elsie Tranter nursed near the front line in Casualty Clearing Stations, treating soldiers with hideous wounds or blinded by mustard gas.
These are just a few of the stories that will be explored by Susanna in her talk which will bring light to the remarkable work of Australian nurses in the First World War.
 
Presenter: Susanna de Vries
Date: Tuesday 15 April, 12.30pm start
Cost: FREE, gold coin donation welcome



For further information or to make a booking, click here.