The Turkish Ambassador to the UK, His Excellency Mr Abdurrahman Bilgiç, has kindly agreed to be a Patron of Gallipoli & Dardanelles International.
His Excellency and Counsellor Orçun Başaran met with G&DI President John Crowe in the Ambassador’s London office on the morning of Wednesday, 11 February 2015.
During the course of a friendly, relaxed and informal meeting a number of important topics were discussed. President Crowe explained the important connection between G&DI and our brother organisation in Turkey, Gelibolu Derneği. He went on to present the Ambassador with a copy of the Gelibolu Derneği journal, showing photographs taken at G&DI’s launch in Turkey in 2013, together with images from our inaugural Student Exchange in October 2014.
President Crowe explains: “The Ambassador was very interested to know whether another student exchange would be taking place this year. He also asked what progress was being made with regard to a potential football match involving the “Fordingbridge Turks” (a team of young English students) and a team from Turkey. I went on to explain that a commemorative event is being planned in Wales for 10 August 2015, and that I had been requested to bring the event to his attention. It was hoped that a Turkish representative might attend the commemoration”.
President Crowe also informed His Excellency that a Centenary Commemoration would be held at the Gallipoli Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum on 25 April 2015. The President explained to His Excellency that the memorial had been the inspiration of a Turkish resident in the UK, Mr Nadir Imamoğlu.
John Crowe also extended an invitation for a representative of the Turkish Embassy to attend the Arboretum on the day. The President had previously met with Nadir Imamoğlu and Counsellor Orçun Başaran, the latter having also attended our G&DI Christmas Drinks Reception in November 2014 at Queensland House.
Other items discussed included G&DI’s attendance on Martyrs’ Day (18 March 2015) at Portsmouth, and the G&DI Gallipoli Centenary Ball to be held at the Victory Services Club on 14 November 2015. An invitation was extended to His Excellency, who reciprocated by inviting John Crowe to attend Turkish National Day on 29 October 2015.
Refreshments were served, and a very cordial meeting was brought to a conclusion after the President presented the Ambassador with a G&DI shield, flanked by the Turkish flag and beneath a portrait of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
