Anzac Day is a national remembrance day that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. Most importantly, Anzac Day was originally born to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli against the Ottoman Empire during the First World War.

What is probably not commonly known is that the Greek island of Lemnos was the principal assembly, embarkation and supply point for the Gallipoli landings in 1915. The landings at Gallipoli were practiced on Lemnos prior to deployment at Gallipoli and the island’s main harbour, Moudros, was a major staging post for naval operations in the Gallipoli campaign, including Australia’s AES2 submarine campaign.

“The vast majority of Anzac troops spent time on Lemnos – whether preparing for the landing, resting or recuperating at its rest camps or recovering from the horrors of war in its field hospitals,” explains the president of the Pan-Lemnian Association of Australia, Melba Giamarelos.

Lemnos was also the location of the major nursing stations for the Gallipoli campaign, with 130 Australian nurses, led by Matron Grace Wilson – the first major overseas deployment of the Australian Nurses to a war theatre.

“Sadly, the critical role of the Greek island of Lemnos and specific aspects of the Australian involvement in the Gallipoli campaign are not well recognised. Therefore we felt the need to honour the brave Australian soldiers who fought for our freedom while gently reminding the rest of the world about Lemnos’ significant role in the Australian Anzac campaign,” adds Ms Giamarelos.

Consequently, the Lemnos Association of SA, which was formed more than 50 years ago and is part of the Pan-Lemnian Association of Australia, scheduled a program of events which was held on the 25 and 26 of April to commemorate the Centenary of Anzac.

“The proposed memorial service and luncheon aimed to honour and commemorate the roles played by both Lemnos and Australia, on the occasion of the 2015 Centenary of Anzac,” explains Ms Giamarelos.

These celebrations included the placement of commemorative wreaths on Anzac Day, 25 April 2015, at the West Croydon and Kilkenny RSLs. During this ceremony, the president of the Lemnos Association of South Australia, George Kontos, and the Vice-Consul General of Greece in South Australia, Pavlos Piakis, laid a wreath. The Mytilinian Brotherhood and the Pontian Association of SA also took part in this ceremony.

The dawn service commenced at 6.00 am. Furthermore, a memorial service and luncheon was held on Sunday 26 April. The luncheon was held at the Lemnos Association Hall in the presence of distinguished Greek and Australian political and military dignitaries as well as 250 guests.

According to Ms Giamarelos, not much has been documented in regards to the relationships between the soldiers and the islanders in Lemnos during this time. Through faded photographic material it is easily ascertained that the Australian troops developed good friendships and had positive liaisons with the locals, which in turn contributed significantly into Australia and Greece developing a very strong bond from those early days.

“What most people don’t realise is that the Lemnians provided a great level of support, collecting food and medical supplies to send to Moudros for the wounded troops. My grandfather was one of many who used to always collect milk for the soldiers,” Ms Giamarelos reveals.

Lemnos is the location of two major but under-recognised Commonwealth War Graves, with 148 Australian graves. “As we look back and honour these soldiers who fought for freedom, it is incredibly sad that 100 years later, the government hasn’t recognised Lemnos’ significance during that time, but we are hoping that the situation will change in the near future,” concluded Ms Giamarelos.

Until then, all we can do is wish that neither Australia nor Greece or any part of the world will have to face such tragedy in the years to come and honour the relationship and strong bond that has evolved through most difficult circumstances amongst these two countries.