The Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne held its annual commemorative service on 31 October 2024, marking the 106th anniversary of the Armistice of Mudros.
The historic agreement, signed on 30 October 1918 aboard HMS Agamemnon in Lemnos’ Mudros Bay, brought an end to World War I across the Balkans and the Middle East, coming into force on 31 October 1918.
Organised in collaboration with the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee, the service has taken place since 2018 and includes a dedication at the Lemnos Tree and 1915-16 Plaque in the Shrine’s grounds.
The annual ceremony pays tribute to the strategic role Lemnos played as a medical base during the Gallipoli campaign and as the resting place for over 1,300 Allied soldiers, including 200 Australians and New Zealanders.
This year’s service featured a wreath-laying by Deb Stewart and readings by Col. (Ret.) Jan McCarthy, with attendance from Committee Secretary and historian Jim Claven, who has worked extensively to commemorate Lemnos’ role in WWI. Claven’s work includes public presentations and publications, enhancing the legacy of the Armistice of Mudros in Australia, Greece, and the UK.
Guests gathered at the Lemnos Tree before moving to the Shrine Sanctuary, with a ceremony officiated by Shrine Governor Squadron Leader Steve Campbell-Wright. Simela and Martha Stamatopoulos were also in attendance.
The service concluded with a moment of reflection, uniting attendees in remembrance of those who served and fell in these historic campaigns.
