With deep respect for its history and in the presence of a large crowd — mainly Britons — along with officials, the new Memorial Event for the Submarine Perseus took place on the morning of Friday, June 19, 2026, at Sarakiniko in Poros, Kefalonia.
What stood out at this year’s Memorial Event, organized by the Municipality of Argostoli in collaboration with members of the British and Greek friends of the Submarine Perseus Monument in our Poros, was the highly honorable presence of two descendants of sailors who perished on the HMS Perseus:
- Ron Dickerson from Cornwall, Great Britain, nephew of the 18-year-old Ronald Dickerson (Ordinary Telegraphist), and
- Nikos Vasilatos a descendant of the Greek Sub-Lieutenant Nikolaos Merlin.
At the beginning of the event, a memorial prayer was held by the priests Fathers Konstantinos Zapantis and Stavros Zapantis.
This was followed by moving speeches from:
- Deputy Mayor of Eleios-Pronnoi and Tourism of the Municipality of Argostoli, Nikos Kourkoumelis
- Former Mayor of Eleios-Pronnoi, Andreas Zapantis
- Deputy Regional Governor of Kefalonia and Ithaca, Sotiris Kouris
- Representative of the British Royal Navy, Andy Walters
- Representative of the Hellenic Submariners Association, Michalis Proimakis
A message was also read from the Member of Parliament for Kefalonia and Ithaca, Panagis Kappatos, who was unable to attend due to obligations in the Hellenic Parliament.
Additionally, Lesley, wife of Andy Walters, read a very moving poem by the 90-year-old Eileen Mahoney, inspired by John McCrae’s World War I poem “In Flanders Fields.”
Wreaths were laid by:
- Deputy Regional Governor Sotiris Kouris
- Deputy Mayor Nikos Kourkoumelis
- Representatives of the Security Forces (Coast Guard, Fire Service, and Police)
- Ron Dickerson, in memory of his late uncle Ronald Dickerson
- Kristi Emilio Ioannidou (naval history author), representing the Hellenic Submariners Association and the British Submariners Association
- Andy Walters
- Chris Gaylor, on behalf of the British Community of Kefalonia
- Makis Totolos, member of the Submariners Association of Great Britain
- President of the Hoteliers Association of Kefalonia and Ithaca, Gerasimos Timotheatos
With great emotion, a minute of silence was observed, followed by the playing of the National Anthems of Great Britain and Greece.
The Memorial Event for the Submarine Perseus in Poros, Kefalonia, was also honored by the presence of:
- Former Deputy Regional Governor of Tourism and Insular Policy of the Ionian Islands Region, Spiros Galiatsatos
- Advisor to Deputy Regional Governor Sotiris Kouris, Sofia Garbi
- The tireless President of Poros Kefalonia, Odysseas Galiatsatos, who worked tirelessly these past days for the success of the event.
Marianthi Diamantatou was the excellent presenter of the Memorial Event in Poros.
Special mention must be made of the great friend of our Kefalonia, retired British police officer and former officer of the British Royal Navy, Stuart Perry. He contributed with his suggestions and support to the erection of the new plaque bearing the names of the heroic sailors of the Submarine Perseus in Poros and to the organization of the Memorial Events, but was unable to attend due to health issues.
Finally, the organizers and attendees made an appointment for the next Memorial Events for the Submarine Perseus, which will take place later today at 7:00 p.m. at the Cultural Center of our Skala!
Spiros Kagadis
Please watch my video with everything that happened in Poros, Kefalonia here:
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