Tomorrow in Southern Cemetery remembering Gallipoli

Gravestone of Private E F Hahn wounded in Gallipoli died in Manchester

As part of the events to mark the centenary Gallipoli Campaign  there will be a special exhibition in the Remembrance Lodge in Southern Cemetery tomorrow.

In April 1915 British, Empire and French soldiers were landed at Gallipoli in what was seen by some as a way of breaking the deadlock on the Western Front by an assault in the Dardanelles against the Ottoman Empire.

This second front if successful would it was hoped draw Bulgaria and Greece into the war on the allied side, stop the Ottoman offensive against Russia and lead to the capture of Constantinople and the exit of the Ottoman Empire from the war.

The campaign began with an allied naval bombardment in February and continued with the landing of troops in April.

Amongst the units which fought at Gallipoli were battalions from the Manchester Regiment who were landed in the summer and along with the rest of the expeditionary force were evacuated in December.

The Lodge

And so it is appropriate that there should be an exhibition devoted to the men of that campaign at the Remembrance Lodge in Southern Cemetery.

The collection is a unique one covering everything from medals and letters to the simple and touching memorabilia which would have graced homes across the city.

These very personal records of the men who fought and their families have been collected by David Harrop who has mounted major exhibitions last year at Southport and Oldham.

The lodge is open from 9am - 4pm seven days a week.

Pictures;  from the collection of David Harrop