BOATS

First Edition. Signed by Author. (inscription)
The sinking of the Empire Patrol on 29 September 1945 forms a significant part of the history of Castellorizo and relates to many thousands of descendants of Castellorizians residing in other parts of Greece, far away Australia and many other countries.

The ill fated British ship returning refugees from Palestine back to the island at the cessation of hostilities after the second World War caught fire and sunk in the Mediterranean with the loss of 33 lives , mainly women and children, and huge devastation to some 500 passengers who were subsequently forced to leave their home of birth and migrate to other lands. This spelt the devastation of this geographically picturesque isle which for many years remained practically deserted save for the recent rejuvenation and interest shown by the small remaining population and those descendants from far away lands.

In our local Perth scene due to chain migration before and after WW2 a large Castellorizian fraternity was established and maintained by subsequent generations of descendents. It is significant to record that the Castellorizian Association of Western Australia arguably is the oldest ongoing such body in the world and will have celebrated its 100th year of establishment in 2012.

128 p. : ill., facsims., ports., map ; 21 cm. #181122/010724
Empire Patrol (Ship) | World War, 1939-1945 — Naval operations, British. | Kastellorizo Island (Greece) — History. Royal Navy