The Battle of Crete Memorial Committee (BCMC) of Western Australia met last week to unveil the concept design for a memorial of the 1941 battle which will be set up in the Saw Avenue precinct of Perth’s King’s Park.
The memorial will commemorate the efforts of those who endured the battle particularly Australian service personnel with direct links to Western Australia and the people of Crete who on many occasions risked their lives to help them said BCMC member Dr John Yiannakis OAM.
WA artists Smith Sculptors have been chosen to develop the memorial’s design of a broken column of polished marble that according to Greek tradition signifies a young life cut short, often in battle.
Dr Yiannakis said the base of the column which will be backed by polished granite will feature four bronze -three military, one civilian – figures in relief. Facing north, the direction from which the enemy came on Crete, will be the figure of an Australian “Digger” of the 2nd /11th Battalion of 1941, to his left and facing west is the figure of a Greek soldier and together the two figures represent the enduring friendship between Greek and Australian people.
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Facing south will be the figure of a Royal Australian Navy sailor wearing the cap tab of HMAS Perthto represent the naval forces of Britain and Australia who “covered the backs” of the soldiers fighting on the island, said Dr Yiannakis.
The final figure, facing east, is that of a Cretan female to acknowledge the role and sacrifices that the civilians of Crete played in the battle and the subsequent Nazi occupation of the island. It also serves to recognise the fact that women experience some of the worst aspects of war and are often the glue that holds families together. The figure faces east to greet the dawn with home of better days to come.
Bill Evangel, the chair of the BCMC and president of the Greek-Australian RSL WA spoke about the origins of the committee and its achievements to date. Retired Major Mike McDonald gave an overview of the Battle of Crete before unveiling the design.
Bishop Elpidios of Kyaneon addressed the gathering with a message from Archbishop Makarios of Australia who is also one of the patrons of the BCMC. The final speaker at the gathering was BCMC patron Richard Sandover whose uncle Major Ray Sandover was the commanding officer of the 2nd/11th Battalion on Crete.
Dr Yiannakis said the federal and state governments had supported the establishment of the memorial as had the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority of Western Australia which is responsible for Kings Park.
He said the BCMC has joined with the National Trust (WA) to set up a donation section under the heading “Battle of Crete Memorial Fund on its website. The donations are tax deductible.
