A new commemorative plaque will soon by installed on Lemnos commemorating the role of Australia’s Navy at the northern Aegean island.
The plaque has been created by Melbourne’s Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee on the initiative of its Secretary, historian Jim Claven OAM.
Mr Claven told The Greek Herald that the installation of the new plaque would recognise the often overlooked but important part played by Australian sailors and naval engineers in the story of Lemnos and Gallipoli.
“As a historian it has always surprised me that this aspect of Lemnos and Gallipoli is little appreciated,” he said.
He went on to detail the fact that Australia’s famous submarine – the AE2 – the first naval vessel to breach the Ottoman defences at the entrance to the Dardanelles straits –sailed on this voyage from the great harbour of Mudros. The highly decorated naval engineers of the Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train came to Lemnos during their service at Gallipoli where they created and maintained vital port and landing facilities for the troops at the front, all while under enemy fire.
“The Australian Navy was also present at Lemnos at the end of the First World War with the signing of the Armistice of Mudros in October 1918, including the HMAS Brisbane. The Armistice and the Australian Navy’s part in the end of the war should also be better remembered”, Mr Claven added.
Many who visit Lemnos’ commonwealth war cemeteries might be surprised to know that some of the Australian navy personnel who served in these units are buried at East Mudros, permanent reminders of the role of the Navy in Lemnos’ Gallipoli story. One of these was 32-year-old Petty Officer Philip Le Seuer who enlisted in Sydney.
Mr Claven stated that this was one of the reasons he was part of the successful effort to encourage the participation of the Australian Navy in the Centenary of Anzac commemorations held on Lemnos in 2015, which saw HMAS Success sail into Mudros Harbour – the first Australian warship to do so since 1918.
All of these aspects of the Navy’s role are recognised in the new commemorative plaque that was presented to the authorities on Lemnos a few weeks ago by the Committee’s South Australian representative Peter Sotiropoulos, who was accompanied by the President of the Lemnian Federation of Australia Chris Maheras, Jim Elias and Jim Marinakis. The memorial plaque was accepted on behalf of the Municipality by the Mayor of Lemnos Eleonora Georga and Deputy Mayor Dimitris Boulotis
The Committee is currently in discussions with the Municipality as to the location for the plaques installation. Mr Claven and the Committee have suggested that an appropriate location could be the navigational beacon that stands at the end of the Turks Head Peninsula. Mr Claven’s research suggests that this was most likely erected during the Gallipoli campaign and may in fact have been created by Australian engineers.
“This creation and installation of this new commemorative plaque is another part of the mosaic of connections between Lemnos and Australia through the Gallipoli campaign. It will join the other commemorative infrastructure in the island to commemorate this important part of history. It will also complement the work currently being undertaken on Lemnos to create the new Lemnos Remembrance Trail”, Mr Claven said.
The Melbourne Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee was established in 2011 to raise awareness of the role of Lemnos in the Gallipoli campaign and the wider Hellenic connection to Australia’s Anzac story across both world wars. They have already erected three significant memorials – the Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial at Melbourne’s Lemnos Square, the Australian Pier Memorial on Lemnos and the Lemnos plaque at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance.
The Committee also commissioned Mr Claven to write first major historical publication on the subject –Lemnos & Gallipoli Revealed – and to curate the new Lemnos & Gallipoli Exhibition. They also have recently celebrated the tenth anniversary of its annual commemorative service at the Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial. This is the only annual such service held in Australia. Mr Claven was also engaged as a historical consultant on the Lemnos Remembrance Trail project.
Committee President Lee Tarlamis OAM MP said that the new plaque represented the Committee’s continuing commitment to ensuring that the many aspects of Australia’s connection to Lemnos through Gallipoli were remembered.
“We believe that this commemorative work is important to honour the service of all those who served, to remember the locals who welcomed them to Lemnos and to recognise that these foundations are important parts of Australia’s enduring link to Greece,” Mr Tarlamis said.
For more information on the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee and the role of Lemnos in Australia’s Gallipoli story readers can contact Mr Claven via email – jimclaven@yahoo.com.au
