Turkish Cypriot Remembrance Society

Turkish Cypriot Remembrance Society Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Turkish Cypriot Remembrance Society, Charitable organisation, 4 Willoughby Road, London.

Preserving Memories Honouring History

The Turkish Cypriot Remembrance Society preserves the stories and honours the service of Turkish Cypriot soldiers, educating future generations and ensuring our community is remembered across the UK.

Turkish Cypriot Remembrance Society & TWPAHonouring Our Past. Preserving Our Legacy. Inspiring Our Future.Since 1945, Re...
21/03/2026

Turkish Cypriot Remembrance Society & TWPA
Honouring Our Past. Preserving Our Legacy. Inspiring Our Future.

Since 1945, Remembrance Day has held deep meaning for the Turkish Cypriot community, just as it does for all communities across Britain. Turkish Cypriot men and women have served and died alongside their British counterparts — from the First World War to the present day.

From as early as the time Cyprus became part of the British Empire, our ancestors answered the call to serve. During the First World War, many served in support roles such as the Muleteers Corps. In the Second World War, thousands of Turkish Cypriots volunteered for the Cyprus Regiment, playing a vital role in British military operations across the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe.

Many were awarded medals for bravery. Hundreds made the ultimate sacrifice and now rest in war graves across Europe, North Africa, and beyond.

Yet, for too long, their contribution has been overlooked.

The Turkish Cypriot Remembrance Society was established to ensure that these men and women are never forgotten — to record their stories, honour their service, and secure rightful recognition within British remembrance.

We are committed to:

Preserving the history of Turkish Cypriots who served in all branches of the British Armed Forces
Educating future generations about their sacrifices
Ensuring our community is represented in remembrance across the UK
Working towards official national recognition

Today, we proudly stand at remembrance services across London and beyond, laying wreaths in memory of our heroes — many in honour of our own fathers, mothers, grandparents, and relatives who served.

But our work is far from complete.

Our history is still at risk of being forgotten or misrepresented. It is our responsibility, as a community, to speak about these sacrifices, to share these stories, and to ensure our children understand that when they wear a poppy, it represents Turkish Cypriots too.

Remembrance is not just about the past — it is about identity, recognition, and legacy.

We invite you to be part of this mission.

If you have family members or friends who served in the British Armed Forces — from World War I to today — please come forward and share their stories with us. Together, we can build a lasting record for future generations.

Every story matters. Every name matters.

Together, we will ensure they are never forgotten.

Lest We Forget / Unutmayacağız

Turkish Women’s Philanthropic Association (TWPA) & Turkish Cypriot Remembrance SocietyBritish Turkish Cypriots Honour Th...
09/11/2025

Turkish Women’s Philanthropic Association (TWPA) & Turkish Cypriot Remembrance Society

British Turkish Cypriots Honour Their Heroes Across London

Remembrance Day – Sunday 9th November 2025

Against a backdrop of red poppies and solemn silence, members of the British Turkish Cypriot community stood side by side across London this Remembrance Sunday — honouring heroes whose service and sacrifice have too often gone unrecognised.

The Turkish Women’s Philanthropic Association (TWPA) and the Turkish Cypriot Remembrance Society proudly laid seven wreaths at services across London, marking a significant act of remembrance and unity for the community.

Wreaths were laid at the following services:
• Haringey – Dilan Beyzade Elliott, Kayahan Beyzade Elliott, and Semahat Mustafa
• Barnet – Seyyare Beyzade and Taylan Beyzade Elliott
• Borehamwood – Mine Ekmekcioglu
• Enfield (Edmonton Green) – Hulya Degirmencioglu
• Enfield (Town) – Hulya Degirmencioglu and Nesrin Nevzat
• Lambeth – Nurperi Mehmet
• Redbridge – Ayse Osman

Each individual who laid a wreath this year did so in memory of their own family members who served — and in many cases, fought and died within the British military. Their personal connections to those who sacrificed for freedom made this act of remembrance profoundly moving for all who took part.

Participants ranged in age from 13 to 79, symbolising several generations of British Turkish Cypriots united in remembrance.

Seyyare Beyzade, Chair of the TWPA and founder of the Turkish Cypriot Remembrance Society, said:
“Every wreath laid represents our gratitude, pride, and determination to ensure that the service of Turkish Cypriots is never forgotten. For too long, our contribution has been missing from official remembrance — yet our fathers, grandfathers, and ancestors stood shoulder to shoulder with their British comrades. My dream is that one day our community will have a recognised name and symbol, and stand together at the national ceremony in Whitehall.”

A Legacy of Service and Sacrifice

During the Second World War, thousands of Turkish Cypriots volunteered for the British Army’s Cyprus Regiment, and before that, served as part of the Cypriot Muleteers Corps, supporting Allied operations across North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
The only Cypriot Major in the Cyprus Regiment was a Turkish Cypriot, Ömer Faik Müftüzade, who was awarded the OBE, MBE, and the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for his service. Many other Turkish Cypriots were decorated for bravery, receiving honours such as the Purple Heart and the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

This year’s wreath layers included Semahat Mustafa and Hulya Degirmencioglu, both daughters of decorated Turkish Cypriot veterans — Yusuf Hasan and Dervish Niyazi — who were honoured for their service to Britain. Their participation symbolises a powerful living link between those who served and the generations who remember them today.

“When I laid my wreath, I thought of my father and the bravery of all those men who fought for freedom,” said Semahat Mustafa. “It’s a moment of deep pride, not just for our families, but for our entire community.”

A Growing Movement for Recognition

Under Seyyare Beyzade’s leadership, the TWPA and the Turkish Cypriot Remembrance Society have made remarkable progress in ensuring Turkish Cypriots are represented at remembrance services across London. The groups’ long-term goal is to gain official recognition within the UK’s national commemorations — and to one day lay a wreath at the Whitehall Cenotaph, alongside other recognised communities.

“Remembrance knows no generation,” said Seyyare Beyzade. “From our youngest participant at 13 to our eldest at 79, we all stood together — proud of our heritage, grateful for those who served, and united by the belief that their legacy must endure.”

we would like to also acknowledge Huseyin Hoca who again represented the Islamic Turkish Cypriot Society in Haringey

We are immensely proud of all who gave their time to honour our heroes.

Lest We Forget/ Unutmayacağız

Honouring Our Heroes Across London Remembrance Day ...
07/11/2025

Honouring Our Heroes Across London

Remembrance Day
Sunday 9th November 2025

This year, we are proud to announce that the Turkish Cypriot Remembrance Society/TWPA will be laying wreaths at Remembrance Day services in:

Haringey
Barnet
Enfield (two services; Edmonton Green and Enfield Town)
Lambeth
Borehamwood
Redbridge

We honour the bravery and sacrifice of Turkish Cypriot men and women who served in the Cyprus Regiment and the British Military, and ensure their names are remembered alongside other communities on this important day. Please come and give your support.

If you live in another UK borough and would like to lay a wreath on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot Remembrance Society, in memory of your family, please get in touch with us.

Together, we will ensure that future generations remember our heroes with pride.

Contact: [email protected]

Address

4 Willoughby Road
London
N80HR

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