Peaceful Return To Anzac Cove Planned

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30287, 13 November 1963, Page 12

Peaceful Return To Anzac Cove Planned

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

LONDON, November 12. Two months ago Mr Rex Palmer, Gallipoli veteran and pilot in the original 111 Squadron in Allenby’s Palestine campaign in 1918, now a well-known broadcaster on television and radio, suggested in a letter to the "Daily Telegraph” that a pilgrimage should be made to Gallipoli in May, 1965—50 years after the ill-fated landings in April and August, 1915. He has already had more than 300 inquiries from people interested and has been able to go ahead with plans for organising the expedition. "We are hoping some New Zealanders will be able to come with us.” said Mr Palmer. “We plan to charter an aircraft to fly from London to Venice, where we will join a ship. “We will sail to Istanbul, where we hope to meet Turkish veterans, and then gb on to the Gallipoli beaches

and Mudros. with a call at Salonika on the way back to Greece. "In our plan to make the tour as leisurely as possible, we will be able to return to England in the same ship." Mr Palmer said he thought that perhaps some Anzacs or their widows and families might also like to join the party. New Zealanders could either make their own way to Istanbul or Venice, or start with the others of the party from London. It is expected that the cost, including the charter flight to Venice and shipboard accommodation, will be in the vicinity of £lOO for the three weeks which it is planned to spend on the pilgrimage. “In view of the present ages of those who were at Gallipoli, we want the journey to be leisurely and in reasonable comfort,” said Mr Palmer. “The month of May offers the best weather prospects.”