The Salonika Campaign in Photographs – The Edgar Turner Collection

Our October speaker is A. James Marshall, a retired Local History Librarian and historian specialising in the London Borough of Hounslow. His research combines meticulous archival work with rare photographic collections to illuminate lesser-known aspects of the First World War. 

The Talk

The Salonika Campaign remains one of the least familiar theatres of the Great War, yet thousands of British soldiers served in the harsh conditions of northern Greece.

This talk centres on the remarkable photographs taken by Second Lieutenant Edgar Turner of the Welch Regiment, who served in Macedonia from May until his death during a trench raid in October 1916. Among his belongings were around 200 tiny negatives and contact prints, captured with a simple box camera. These rare images provide an intimate view of the Vardar Valley, British camps, military engineering, transport, local people and the everyday experiences of soldiers serving on the Macedonian Front. 

Rather than presenting the campaign solely through official history, James Marshall allows Edgar Turner’s own photographs to tell the story, offering a unique visual record of a theatre that is too often overlooked. Whether your interest lies in Salonika, military photography or the everyday life of the British Army, this promises to be a fascinating evening.

🎟️ Visitors welcome- you don't have to be a WFA member to attend.

🍺 Bar available