
2015 is the centenary of the Gallipoli campaign. One of my great uncles, Daniel Canty, served here with the Derbyshire Yeomanry at Suvla Bay. He was evacuated to Alexandria but died of dysentery and wounds. My walk will remember him and others who lost their lives in this campaign.
I visited the Commonwealth memorial at Cape Helles and left a scroll commemorating relatives of Clifton Cathedral parishioners who served in the Gallipoli campaign.
Clifton Cathedral has an active First World War remembrance programme. For more details see: cliftoncathedralww1
I ended my journey in Istanbul at the statue of Pope Benedict VX. Benedict was pope during the First World War. He worked tirelessly for peace and as the result made himself so unpopular with the belligerent European powers that he has no other statue in Europe. When diplomacy failed he applied himself to humanitarian efforts to ease the suffering of the people. The inscription on the statue recognises his efforts.
The inscription reads:
To the Great Pope of the World's Tragic Hour Benedict XV
Benefactor of the People Without Discrimination of Nationality or Religion
A Token of Gratitude from the Orient
To the Great Pope of the World's Tragic Hour Benedict XV
Benefactor of the People Without Discrimination of Nationality or Religion
A Token of Gratitude from the Orient