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Lemnos Tree Print Page Print this page

30-June-2019 (Jim Claven)
30-June-2019 (Jim Claven)

Photographs supplied by Jim Claven / Deb Stewart

The tree commemorates the Australians who served on the Greek Island of Lemnos in 1915 and 1916 during World War One. 

The tree is near the Gallipoli Memorial Garden and in sight of the Shrine of Remembrance. Other nearby trees are dedicated to units and service personnel with connections to Lemnos, including the 3rd Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance, 2nd Field Company Australian Engineers and the 6th Australian Infantry Battalion and the 8th Australian Infantry Battalion – all units who served on Lemnos.

The tree number is B37.  It is a cedar tree (Cedrus deodara), not dissimilar to those that which stand on Lemnos especially those which surround the castle that gave Lemnos’ capital of Myrina (its name in 1915, Castro or Castle). Its foliage is reminiscent of a Christmas Tree – another reminder of Lemnos’ connection to Anzac. It was on Lemnos in December 1915 that the ANZAC’s enjoyed an Aegean Christmas, with billie cans and puddings – many made in the nearby Swallow and Ariel factory in Port Melbourne - sent all the way from home for them to celebrate the festive season on the Island.

Following a proposal from the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee, who also funded the plaque, the memorial was installed by the Shrine of Remembrance. It was unveiled on 31st October 2019 as part of the annual Armistice of Mudros commemoration which takes place in the Sanctuary of the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne.

On March 4, 1915, about 3200 Australian soldiers landed on Lemnos. By April 21, about 200 ships had gathered at Mudros Harbour, the main port, and then left the island on the evening of April 24 for the dawn Gallipoli landings.

Location

Address:Birdwood Avenue, Shrine Reserve, Melbourne, 3000
State:VIC
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -37.830139
Long: 144.974263
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
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Details

Monument Type:Tree
Monument Theme:Conflict
Sub-Theme:WW1
Approx. Event Start Date:March-1915
Approx. Event End Date:January-1916
Designer:Shrine of Remembrance, Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Council
Link:https://lemnosgallipolicc.blogspot.…

Dedication

Actual Monument Dedication Date:Thursday 31st October, 2019
Front Inscription

Lemnos 1915 - 16

Dedicated to the Australians who served on the Greek island of Lemnos as part of the Gallipoli Campaign

Lest We Forget

Source: MA
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au
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