This year’s annual Greek Campaign commemorative service in Kalamata took place on Tuesday 16th May.

The service was held at the Greek Campaign Memorial near the old railway station in Kalamata. The service is organised annually by the Municipality of Kalamata in cooperation with the Brotherhood of Greek Campaign Veterans based in the United Kingdom.

The annual commemorative service commemorates all who served in the Greek campaign of 1941, including those whose campaign came to an end at the waterfront of Kalamata with the end of the evacuation of Allied troops.

Peti Marados and her daughters lay a wreath during the service, representing Melbourne’s Kalamata Society. Photo: Supplied

Despite many thousands having been successfully evacuated, an estimated 8,000 Allied troops were unable to be transported, most left to be captured by the advancing Germans who captured the city on the 29th April.

Military attaches who attended the service in Kalamata. Photo: David Sanderson

The service was well attended, with a number of diplomatic and military representatives taking part. As usual a good contingent from the Brotherhood flew out from the United Kingdom especially for the service.

Hellenic Armed Forces members at the Greek Campaign Memorial in Kalamata for the commemorative service. The Battle of Kalamata Waterfront Memorial is to the right of the main memorial. Photo: David Sanderson

The Mayor of Kalamata, Cr Athanasios Vasilopoulos, who last year made a memorable visit to Melbourne, took part in the service. Melbourne’s Kalamata Society 23rd March was represented by Peti Marados and her daughters at the service.

The various national flags on display, representing the various nationalities of Allied troops who took part in the Greek Campaign and in Kalamata in 1941, including Hellenic, British, Australian, New Zealand, Cypriot and Israeli. Photo: Doug Beckett

This year saw the Municipality include the new Battle of Kalamata Memorial in the service. This was an initiative of Melbourne’s Pammessinian Brotherhood Papaflessas and myself. The plaque commemorates the battle of Kalamata waterfront that took place on the evening of the 28th April 1941 and which saw the defeat of the German advanced party by the Allied forces awaiting evacuation. This Memorial will soon be formally installed by the Municipality.

The Battle of Kalamata Waterfront Memorial at the service in Kalamata. Photo: Doug Beckett

Congratulations to the Municipality of Kalamata and the Brotherhood for continuing their commitment to honour and remember those who served in the Greek campaign 82 years ago. Lest we forget.

Crosses of remembrance placed at the Greek Campaign Memorial site as part of this year’s commemorative service. Photo: Doug Beckett

Jim Claven is a trained historian, freelance writer and published author. His most recent publication is Grecian Adventure. He has attended the Greek Campaign commemorative service in Kalamata on a number of occasions and is an honorary member of the Brotherhood. He thanks the Brotherhood’s David Sanderson and Doug Beckett and Peti Marados for supplying the photographs of the service. Jim can be contacted via email – jimclaven@yahoo.com.au.

Kalamata’s Greek Campaign Memorial after the service. Photo: David Sanderson