Annual Gallipoli Lunch, held at King’s Lynn, Town Hall, Norfolk Friday 7th October 2022
Gallipoli & Dardanelles
Posted On 22/04/2023
Twenty members and friends together with the Mayor, Councillor Lesley Bambridge attended. On arrival they enjoyed liquid refreshment in the ‘Stone Hall’. Acquaintances were made and renewed.
The President welcomed all, and thanked them for helping to maintain the memory of the tragic events of 1915, on the Gallipoli Peninsular in Turkey. Most had travelled long distances to attend. They included, French, Australian and New Zealand guests.
Eight of the diners had family links with the campaign. Two actually had fathers that were involved and survived.
During the meal there was a real buzz of conversation, which was a great opportunity to exchange family stories relating to the campaign.
After the meal, toasts were proposed for H.M. The King, by the Mayor, and G&DI by member Margaret Tinsley, who was born and raised in Australia. She explained how important G&DI was to her, and her great pleasure to have visited Turkey with G&DI twice, including this year.
The President then proposed a toast for our good friends in The Turkish Association, ‘Gelibolu Dernegi’. He explained that G&DI had been launched 9 years earlier in Turkey with the help of Gelibolu Dernegi, and how important it was to continue to have their friendship and support. This toast was supported with great enthusiasm by all present.
The speaker Ngaire Hall, who is a committee member of G&DI, and from New Zealand, gave a first class presentation explaining her life, growing up in New Zealand, and the importance of Gallipoli to the people of New Zealand. She also gave an account of her Grandfather who served with the New Zealand forces in Gallipoli, and the Western Front.
He kept a diary, the contents of which she explained. This was very interesting and much appreciated by all the diners.
Well done Ngaire, and thank you very much.
This wonderful, historic, Town Hall, has been booked again for Friday 6th October, 2023 at 12noon for 1pm. The speaker is still to be arranged.
Lest we forget
