Last week members and supporters of the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee gathered at the grave of Nurse Clarice Daley and Sergeant Ernest Lawrence at St Kilda Cemetery for their annual tribute to their service on Lemnos in 1915.
Members of the committee were joined by Glen Chapman from the Daley-Lawrence family. Also present was Stelios Lakis Kayalicos of the Lemnian Community of Victoria.
Mr Chapman laid the floral tribute on behalf of the assembly and made a short address. He spoke of Clarice and Ernest, their continuing legacy for their families and his appreciation of the commemorative committee’s work in recognising both the role of Lemnos and in holding this annual tribute.
Lee Tarlamis, committee president also delivered a short address. He noted the service of Clarice and Ernest, particularly their time on Lemnos during the Gallipoli campaign and their marriage on the island. Their service was cited as symbolising the experience of the tens of thousands of Anzac and other Allied soldiers, nurses and other personnel on Lemnos – whether as a place where they prepared for battle, where they returned for rest or care in the field hospitals established there, and as the place to which they were evacuated following the end of the campaign.
They also highlight the thousands of personal stories connecting Australian descendants of diggers and nurses – including Lee’s family – to Lemnos. The marriage of Clarice and Ernest also symbolised the positive experience of Lemnos for many soldiers and nurses, as they traversed the island welcomed by the hospitable islanders to whom the Allies provided much needed medical care.
Mr Tarlamis said that the committee believe that it is important that we take the opportunity to honour the service of Clarice and Ernest and their unique Lemnos story.
“We hope that our tribute will stimulate greater recognition of the role of Lemnos. And given that their graves reside in the the City of Port Phillip – the location of Australia’s first Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial – we hope to spark greater interest and awareness by the City and the Cemetery Trust,” he said.
The tribute followed the annual Albert Jacka Memorial Service held at his grave in the same cemetery. Mr Tarlamis laid a wreath at Albert Jacka’s grave as part of this annual service on behalf of the committee.