The bonds forged between Greeks and Australians in the Greek and Crete campaigns during World War Two will be rekindled during a reunion organised by the Battle of Crete and Greece Commemorative Council and the Federation of Messinian Organisations of Melbourne & Victoria.
The event will provide an opportunity for Australian and Greek veterans and their families to meet and share stories.
The highlight of the afternoon will be the replacement medal presentation by the Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Affairs Ms Jenny Cotton to Norman William Maddock OAM from the 2nd/7th Australian Infantry Battalion who served as a Prisoner of war in Crete, who unfortunately had his medals stolen from his home in East Bentleigh.
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Norman gave so much to Victoria in many roles but in particular served the Australian Imperial Forces.
There will be also a special presentation from Megan Spencer who will be speaking about the Australian War Memorial podcast called ‘From A Whisper To A Bang!’, which features the Battle of Crete in a number of the episodes and includes both her grandfather’s and that of his brother’s stories who were Australian soldiers who fought in Greece and Crete and were captured during the Crete campaign. Other presentations will also be done by other Veterans Families.
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The Greece and Crete ANZAC reunion will be held at the Education Centre at the Shrine of Remembrance on Sunday 6 October 2019 at 2.00 pm and its free entry. Light refreshments will be available.