(Image courtesy of the British Embassy Athens)

Rupert Brooke exhibition opens in Skyros, Greece

From the Commonwealth War Grave Commission Press Release:

“The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the death of First World War poet, Rupert Brooke, by participating in a unique exhibition on the Greek island of Skyros where he is buried.

“The exhibition ‘Rupert Brooke on Skyros: and Aegean corner of a foreign field’ has been organised by the British Embassy in Athens, Skyros Municipality and the Rupert Brooke Society, to showcase the life of the poet and will open on 23 April – the day that Brooke died – until the end of the summer.”

David Symons, CWGC’s Director for the Mediterranean Area: “We hope that this exhibition will inspire more people to visit the war graves in our care ensuring that those who died will never be forgotten.

“These include graves throughout Greece, including the island of Lemnos which played a critical role in the Gallipoli Campaign during the First World War.”

Brooke joined the Royal Naval Division in September 1914, participating in the withdrawal from Antwerp. His division was en route to Turkey in April 1915 when he contracted septicaemia and died two days before the Gallipoli landings.

The exhibition will run until September 1st 2015 and is free to all.

Source: Commonwealth War Graves Commission, British Embassy Athens

Image: British Embassy Athens

Posted by: Éadaoin Hegarty, Centenary News