The Gallipoli Association's annual luncheon was held on Wednesday, 20 October 2010 to mark the 95th anniversary year of the Campaign. The luncheon took place in the comfortable and historic surroundings of The Naval Club in Mayfair. The occasion was a special one this year, as our Patron, H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh, honoured us by attending. Not surprisingly, the occasion was fully booked well in advance. His Royal Highness met almost all of the seventy members present in the bar during the half hour before all adjourned for the two-course luncheon. Secretary James Watson-Smith said Grace in a manner befitting the occasion by reciting The Ode from Laurence Binyon's emotive poem For The Fallen.
A toast to Her Majesty The Queen was proposed by His Royal Highness, and Chairman Christopher Fagan then proposed a toast to our Patron, followed by another toast in proud memory of all who fought in the Gallipoli Campaign. Association historian Colonel Michael Hickey captivated the audience with an excellent talk in which he highlighted several personalities and events in the Gallipoli Campaign. Michael enlivened his talk with a series of hilarious anecdotes, delivered in his inimitable style, all of which helped to make history come alive for all those present. The general consensus amongst members was that it was one of the Association's most successful annual luncheons, due in no small part to the attendance of our Patron, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
The Gallipoli Association website.
