Lemnos ANZAC sites

Gallipoli is about 120km away from Lemnos and in 1915 the island was the main base for ANZAC forces as they prepared for the invasion on 25 April. During the 9 months of the campaign it was used as a hospital base. Today there are reminders of this in two Commonwealth war cemeteries. One at Moudros and the other at Portianos. The latter was a bit difficult to find, down a dirt laneway in the middle of a farm. As usual they are beautifully tended and both are surrounded by a high stone wall. Besides Australian and New Zealanders there are British, French, Indians and Canadians. Down by Moudros port there is a special Australian - Lemnos memorial which explains the Gallipoli campaign.
It is possible that my grandfather, Stephen Dawson, 4th Light Horse Brigade, may have travelled to Lemnos as part of the preparation. Luckily he is not lying here.








Portianos Commonwealth Cemetery