Landing in Salonika

In October 1915 a combined Franco-British force of some two large brigades was landed at Salonika (today called Thessalonika) at the request of the Greek Prime Minister. The objective was to help the Serbs in their fight against Bulgarian aggression.

Arriving with them was Pte. Alfred Walter Read Lewis, a butcher from Hackney, serving with A Company of the Army Service Corps. He had been assigned to the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force since 22nd July 1915

His youngest daughter Jessie Lily Lewis who had been born in April 1915 and was just one month old when Alfred enlisted with the Army Service Corps on the 1st May, had passed away between May and June 1915.

The expedition however arrived too late, the Serbs having been beaten before they landed. It was decided to keep the force in place for future operations.