Over 100 invited guests, members, and observers from the first to the third generation recently gathered at the Australian Hellenic Memorial in the Domain Gardens in Melbourne to attend the Commemoration Service for the 82nd Anniversary of the Battle of Kalamata, hosted by the Society of Kalamata ’23 March.’ The service is held annually to honor those who fought and died defending Greece and to focus on the last engagement on mainland Greece in Kalamata.
The battle, which took place on the waterfront on the evening of 28 April 1941, saw Australian, New Zealand, and British troops defeat their German opponents. Among the soldiers awarded honors that night were New Zealand’s Sergeant Jack Hinton, who received the Victoria Cross, and Australia’s Captain Albert Gray, who received the Military Cross for their bravery. The Commemoration Service also honored the role of Kalamata as one of the main embarkation points for Allied troops escaping capture and the support of the local population for their Allied defenders. Although thousands of soldiers were evacuated, many were captured when Allied ships could no longer safely embark troops from the harbor as the German forces approached.
During the ceremony, Father Panteleimon Laskaris conducted the Trisagion/Memorial Service, followed by a welcome speech from the Society of Kalamata ’23 March’ President, Mr. Sam Vlachos. Official speeches were delivered by the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Mr. Emmanouel Kakavelakis, Flight Lieutenant Adam Breetvelt representing the New Zealand Government, and Mr. Nick Staikos representing the Hon. Natalie Suleyman MP, Minister for Veterans and the Victorian Government.
Representatives from various communities were present, including Ms. Elpis Korosidis representing PRONIA, Mr. Tony Tsourdalakis representing the Cretan Federation of Australia & New Zealand, Ms. Elena Vasiliadis representing the Australian Federation of Pontian Associations.
Dignitaries, officials and members of the clergy. Photo: Supplied
Photo: Supplied
Photo: Supplied
Photo: Supplied
The list of representatives included Associate Professor Marinis Pirpiris from the Hellenic Medical Society of Australia, Anthea Sidiropoulos from the Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria, Peter Patisteas, OAM representing AHEPA, Mr George Kotsirilos representing the Panarcadian Association of Melbourne and Victoria ‘O Kolokotronis’, Roma Siachou from the Hellenic Writers Association Australia, Dimitra Christopoulos representing the Pantrifilian Association of Melbourne and Victoria, Kris Pavlidis representing the Greek Orthodox Community Whittlesea and Nola Radiotis representing the Greek Women of the Northern Suburbs ‘Anemones’.
The Wreath-laying ceremony followed the speeches, with religious, Government (International, National, Government, and Local), military, and community representatives in attendance. The Remembrance Ritual commenced with the ode being proclaimed in both English and Greek, followed by the playing of the Last Post and a one-minute silence to remember the fallen, and ended with the playing of the Reveille and the national anthems of Greece and Australia.
Rosemary Hart, the daughter of Brigadier Alfred Bell, OBE of the 19th Brigade, who led the ANZACs at the Thermopylae Pass, was present at the ceremony. Catherine Bell, daughter of Private Syd Grant of the 2/8 Field Regiment who served through the battles of Greece, and Shirley Devery, daughter of Tom Devery who served with the 2nd / 6th Australian Infantry Battalion across the Greek mainland and on Crete in 1941, also attended.
The Society of Kalamata ’23 March’ thanked the children and grandchildren of those who fought in Greece in 1941 for their attendance. The Service, held annually, seeks to honor and remember those who fought and died in defense of Greece and serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made in the pursuit of freedom.
“Undoubtedly what many Australian soldiers took away with them from Greece was the manner in which the Greek people, who had greeted them so warmly on their arrival, did not desert them in defeat. As a detachment of the 2/3rd Battalion acted as a rear guard near the evacuation beaches at Kalamata they passed the cottage of an elderly Greek lady who stood by her door ‘with a tray of sliced cake and glasses of Retsina, a local wine’. She offered these to each of the soldiers as they passed by, an act which touched us deeply. We could not understand what she was saying as she tearfully proffered her gifts, but her meaning was clear and we all said things like, ‘Never mind, Ma; we’ll be back and make up for all of this,” – Quote from Australian soldier about Kalamata
