The story of Lemnos and the ANZACs now a SBS Documentary

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  Members of 4th Australian Field Ambulance

• Anzac. Lemnos. 1915.
  A Forgotten Chapter of the Anzac Story

  The Lemnian Association of NSW, in proud partnership with the Consulate General of Greece in Sydney, presents the moving and powerful documentary Anzac. Lemnos. 1915.

  While many Australians are familiar with the story of Gallipoli, few know of Lemnos – the small, humble Greek island that played a vital role in the Dardanelles campaign during World War I. For the first time, this documentary brings to light Lemnos’ extraordinary yet often overlooked contribution to the Anzac story.

  About the Documentary

  With rare archival photographs and deeply personal accounts, Anzac. Lemnos. 1915. unveils a hidden chapter of Australia’s wartime history—one that helped shape the nation’s modern identity.

  In March 1915, Allied forces began arriving on Lemnos, transforming the island into the main operational base for the Gallipoli campaign. Mudros Bay became the anchorage for one of the largest fleets assembled in modern military history. Over the course of the campaign, more than 50,000 Anzacs passed through Lemnos on their way to and from the Gallipoli front.

  On just the first day of battle—April 25, 1915—over 2,000 Allied soldiers were killed or wounded. Between August and November of that year, nearly 97,000 sick and wounded soldiers arrived in Mudros Harbour. At the heart of the island’s response were 136 Australian nurses who, despite minimal resources, worked tirelessly

• and selflessly. So dire were the conditions, they reportedly tore strips from their own petticoats to create bandages.

  Field hospitals on Lemnos became sites of medical innovation, introducing pioneering treatments including early use of X-rays, ophthalmology, and bacteriology. The island quickly evolved into a key support hub, with makeshift hospitals, supply depots, and rest camps for battle-weary soldiers.

  As Royal Australian Navy historian John Perryman aptly notes, “No Lemnos, no Gallipoli.”

  Today, the legacy of that bond lives on. 148 Australians and 76 New Zealanders lie buried on Lemnos in two Commonwealth War Graves cemeteries—a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made and the enduring ties forged between Greece and Australia.

  A Modern Tribute

  In May 2023, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor-General of Australia, joined Her Excellency Katerina Sakellaropoulou, President of the Hellenic Republic, for a ground-breaking ceremony to mark the creation of the Anzac Remembrance Trail on Lemnos. This initiative underscores the historical importance of Lemnos to both nations and honours the shared sacrifices of their people.

  Anzac. Lemnos. 1915. is a powerful story of courage, resilience, compassion, and enduring friendship. It reminds us not only of the horrors of war but also of the humanity that rises from it. This is not just a tale of military history—it is the story of a small island in the Aegean Sea that forever linked two nations across continents and generations.