Steve Kyritsis, author of Greek Australians in the Australian Armed Forces WWI and WWII will be talking about his motivations for writing the book and shedding more light on the remarkable stories it contains at the Ithacan Philanthropic Society in Melbourne.
In May, hundreds of veterans’ families, MPs, and other dignitaries joined Kyritsis at the Victorian Parliament for the book’s official launch by Murray Thompson MP. Mr Thompson – speaking on behalf of Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu – said that Steve Kyritsis had created “a lasting tribute to the ideals, service and courage of Greek Australians who had served Australia”.
The book, dedicated to the contribution and sacrifice of Australians of Greek heritage who served in both World Wars, took three years of painstaking research at the National Archives and in many cases extensive personal interviews with veterans and their families across Australia. Published in Greek and English the 745 page publication reveals the name of every Greek who enlisted with the Australian military as far back as the second Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902).
His research uncovered five individuals who took part in the Boer War, 80 who served in WWI – (including 11 who fought at Gallipoli) and nearly 2500 Greek Australians who served in WWII. Mr Kyritsis told Neos Kosmos: “I felt I had a duty as a veteran myself to tell these stories going back more than 100 years. “These veterans’ names were in a dark room, and I wanted them to be acknowledged.”
Mr Kyritsis’ talk will take place on Sunday 18 November at 3pm at the Ithacan Philanthropic Society’s club rooms at 329 Elizabeth Street.
