RMLI Greece.

[Bob Coulson]

Could anyone shed any light on actions involving men from HMS Exmouth and HMS Duncan against Greek troops around this time, local memorial man was killed in these actions.

Grateful for any help.

Bob.

[horatio2]

An interesting episode, well covered in Blumberg's "Britain's Sea Soldiers 1914-1919", Chapter 15 - Royal Marines in Greece.

The Royal Marines from HM Ships EXMOUTH and DUNCAN were first used on 11 October 1916 to land and occupy Lipso Island, the main defence of Salamis Harbour, following an ultimatum to the Greek Government, who were being a bit 'wobbly' at this time.

Subsequently marines were landed at Piraeus (Athens) on 1 December 1916 "to occupy, by force if necessary, certain positions dominating Athens and certain buildings and military establishments", as part of an Allied force. It was only a one-day action but, at the end "the Greek Government was obliged to make public atonement for their treacherous attack on the Allies."

The Royal Marine company had 10 killed (all buried in Piraeus Cemetery) and 12 wounded.

[Bob Coulson]

Excellent info and very interesting thank you.

My local man was Arthur Callaby of HMS Duncan.

Bob.

[horatio2]

His papers are at the FAA Museum:-

Chatham/19454; CALLABY, A; Enlisted 20/11/1914; Disccharged DOW; D.o.b. 05/11/1896; P.o.b. MIDDLESBROUGH

All the other RMLI dead were Plymouth Division RMLI

[apwright]

There's quite a lot written in Greek about "Ta Noemvriana" (The Events of November), as the incident was called.

The Greek Orthodox Church was still running on the Julian calendar then, which was about 2 weeks behind the Gregorian. December 1st Gregorian (when the Entente forces landed in Athens and Piraeus) was only November 18th to the Greeks!

For a brief outline in English, see:

http://wiki.phantis.com/index.php/Noemvriana

I'll see what else I can dig up, though all the sources I've found so far make little or no mention of the British contribution, because most of the force apparently was French (2,500 out of 3,000, according to a Greek source).

Regards,

Adrian

French sailors (it says 'ere) marching on Athens, 1/12/16:

[Bob Coulson]

Thanks to you both for the extra information, very interesting.

Bob.

[horatio2]

Blumberg says: "...3,000 seamen and marines of the Allies were landed at Piraeus at 3 a.m., 1st December. The British contingent ... consisted of two seamen companies ...and a company of RMLI ... approximately 300 officers and men with two machine guns. The contingent included a small company of Italian seamen." Nos 1 and 2 Battalions of the force were French. No 3 Battalion included the British contingent, which was, therefore about 10% of the force deployed.

[Jonathan Saunders]

Blumberg says: "...3,000 seamen and marines of the Allies were landed at Piraeus at 3 a.m., 1st December. The British contingent ... consisted of two seamen companies ...and a company of RMLI ... approximately 300 officers and men with two machine guns. The contingent included a small company of Italian seamen." Nos 1 and 2 Battalions of the force were French. No 3 Battalion included the British contingent, which was, therefore about 10% of the force deployed.

Do you know if the Royal Marine bandsmen landed from HMS Exmouth? If so, then I assume they would have been used as medical orderlies.

Regards,

Jonathan S

[horatio2]

Blumberg does not specifically mention RM bandsmen as medical orderlies and these could equally well have been provided from RN SBA ratings. Indeed, Blumberg does mention that "Surgeon Lieutenant Milligan of the EXMOUTH continued to attend the wounded ... and was assisted by Sick Berth Attendant Grieve, who was wounded three times in the arm." There were "10 killed and 12 wounded in the RM Company".

French decorations for Milligan and Grieve here:- http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30066/supplements/4629

[Jonathan Saunders]

Many thanks,

Jonathan S

[Arncliffe]

My maternal Grandfather, Pte Will Percy Clark, 17347 RMLI was embarked on HMS Sentinel in 1916. He was part of the Marine force landed at Pireaus on 1st December 1916 and was wounded in his right leg and left wrist during that action.

Can anyone supply more information regarding this action?.

[Arncliffe]

Is there anywhere that records details of injuries suffered during the raid on Pireaus? For example, did Milligan or Grieve tend to my wounded Grandfather or, because he was hospitalised on HMS Egmont for a few days before being transferred to HMS Europa, would he have had his wounds treated by others?

Blumberg does not specifically mention RM bandsmen as medical orderlies and these could equally well have been provided from RN SBA ratings. Indeed, Blumberg does mention that "Surgeon Lieutenant Milligan of the EXMOUTH continued to attend the wounded ... and was assisted by Sick Berth Attendant Grieve, who was wounded three times in the arm." There were "10 killed and 12 wounded in the RM Company".

French decorations for Milligan and Grieve here:- http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30066/supplements/4629

[seaJane]

Not an answer to the previous questions I'm afraid, but anyone driving from the cruise ship port at Piraeus to the town's archaeological museum will see the CWGC cemetery on the inland side of the road as it curves round the bay.