Apollo Cokkinis: Proud Greek, Proud Briton: From Odessa and Smyrna to London and Dorking

Apollo John Cokkinis was born in Odessa, home of his mother’s family, and educated in Smyrna, home of his father’s family. Greeks in both home cities met disaster after World War One. Apollo studied medicine in London, became a surgeon and, as a British Army Colonel, organised military hospitals in North Africa and Italy in World War Two. A character larger than life who loved both his countries.

Alan Charlton CMG CVO was a British diplomat who served as British Ambassador in Brazil, Deputy Ambassador in USA and Germany, First Secretary in Jordan and as a Director in the Foreign Office dealing with negotiations on former Yugoslavia. He is now Deputy Chair of Canning House and Founder of the UK/Brazil Conversa, gives lectures on cruise ships on a wide range of topics and volunteers with The Samaritans. In addition to his book on Apollo Cokkinis, his wife’s Greek grandfather, he wrote Shaking My Briefcase, stories from his diplomatic career.

A Q&A session will follow the talk.

Books will be available to purchase on the night.

Organised by The Hellenic Centre