Stand with me Achilles - Remembering Lemnos and the Gallipoli Campaign

Join us for an enlightening evening with historian Jim Claven OAM as he sheds light on the significant yet often overlooked role of the Greek Island of Lemnos during the Gallipoli campaign of 1915-1916. Discover how Lemnos served as the pivotal forward base, hosting soldiers' rest camps, field hospitals, and Australia's dedicated nurses. Learn about the 148 diggers laid to rest on the island, among the 1,300 Allied graves, and the historical significance of Lemnos as the site of the armistice that concluded the First World War in the east. Explore the vibrant social dynamics between Australian troops and Greek islanders, and delve into Claven's efforts to establish an Anzac Trail across Greece, including his involvement in the Australian Government’s Lemnos Remembrance Trail project. Don't miss this opportunity to uncover a lesser-known chapter of Anzac history. 

45-minute talk followed by a 15-minute Q&A session.

About the Presenter

Jim Claven is a trained historian who holds BA and MA degrees from Melbourne’s Monash University. He is a freelance writer and published author who has been researching the link between Hellenes and the  Anzacs for over a decade, both in Australia and abroad. Amongst many other commemorative projects, Jim has worked on the creation of the Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial in Albert Park, the Australian Pier Memorial on Lemnos, the new Australian Government-funded Lemnos Remembrance Trail, as well as both the Lemnos and Imbros pictorial exhibitions. His most recent publications are Lemnos & Gallipoli Revealed (2019), Grecian Adventure (2021) and From Imbros Over The Sea (2023). He has also contributed to Mates & Allies: A Tribute to the bonds forged between Australians and Greeks during the Battle of Crete. He was recently awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to veterans and community history.

Mr Claven's book - Lemnos & Gallipoli Revealed - will also be available for purchase at the presentation. 

Image:  No. 67. Australian Rest Camp at Sarpi. The 3rd A.G.H. is seen in the opposite distance - Another Australian rest Camp on Lemnos Island. From 'Photographs of the Third Australian General Hospital at Lemnos, Egypt & Brighton' (Eng.) / taken by A. W. Savage 1915-17. PXE 698. Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales.