Gallipoli & Dardanelles International Annual Gallipoli Lunch @ King’s Lynn Town Hall, Norfolk Friday lst July 2016

This auspicious occasion took place in the ornate Georgian Assembly Room. Guests were greeted in the Grade 1 listed medieval Stone Hall. The 21 diners led by the Mayor Councillor David Whitby included many members of G&DI who had relatives in the Gallipoli Campaign. There were guests from New Zealand and France and three former Mayors.

Lt Cmdr Arthur Coxon in his 90th year had driven 237 miles from Wales and Albert Touboul aged 86 years had travelled from Paris.

The Mayor gave the loyal toast and Lt Cmdr Arthur Coxon toasted G&DI at the end of the excellent meal. The President then proposed a toast to our friends in the Gallipoli Association of Turkey ‘Gelibolu Dernegi’ explaining how they were with us when we launched in 2013 and have worked closely together since. All those present enthusiastically joined the toast.

Our speaker the author Dan Van Der Vat, the naval historian, was able to give an excellent account of the decisions taken and actions of the navy during the failed campaign of 1915.

This popular annual lunch was enjoyed by all. It lived up to the objectives of G&DI ‘Remembrance’ ‘Friendship’ and ‘Education’.

The date for next year is Friday 30th June 2017.