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A Cypriot Volunteer Remembered
Remembered with honour – Captain Vias Michael Skoufarides, RAMC
Thirty-one year old Captain Vias Michael Skoufarides from Nicosia was typical of the 20,000 Greek
and Turkish Cypriots who willingly joined the ranks of the Cyprus Regiment and the Cyprus Volunteers
during the Second World War, many of them serving with distinction throughout Europe.13 Before the
war he had served as a doctor near Paphos. Once he volunteered, his medical skills naturally drew him
into the Royal Army Medical Corps. He was killed in a tragic accident in Famagusta on 22 July 1942, and
was buried with full military honours in his home town, the funeral ceremony being held at Tripiotou
Church, Nicosia.14 His name is recorded on the Cyprus (Nicosia) Memorial.
13 Cyprus Veterans Association WWII website www.cyprusveterans.com.cy
14 Information taken from articles in the Greek-language daily newspapers Eleftheria (Freedom) and Anexartidos (Inde-
pendent) of 23 July 1942, and the weekly Foni tis Kyprou (Voice of Cyprus) of 25 July 1942
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