Ever wanted to meet in person a Battle of Crete Veteran?
A weekend event coming up in Perth may be your best chance on the most appropriate occasion celebrating Australia’s first Battle of Crete specific memorial.
At 105, Arthur Leggett OAM is reportedly one of the two last surviving Australians who served in the historical battle.
He is expected as the guest of honour at the special event on Saturday, 11 May, marking the formal dedication of the Battle of Crete Memorial at the Saw Avenue precinct at Kings Park.
The dedication will be performed by the WA Premier Roger Cook and the Greek Ambassador Stavros Venizelos.
And the list of dignitaries goes on.
The Greek Orthodox Archbishop Makarios has been announced as the memorial’s co-patron, alongside Richard Sandover, the nephew of a senior officer who had commanded the West Australian Battalion on Crete.
The project – an initiative spearheaded by the state’s Greek Australian RSL under the Battle of Crete Memorial Committee (BCMC) set up for the purpose – is believed to be the first memorial of its kind in Australia, fully dedicated to the historical battle.
The formal unveiling is open to community members with organisers inviting young and old to “be part of this momentous once in a lifetime occasion.”
RSL branch President and BCMC Chairperson Bill Evangel expects a large crowd on the day.
“The event is gaining momentum and I think there’ll be a few hundred people there,” he told Neos Kosmos.
“It marks a significantly historical day for Hellenism in Western Australia. So, I expect a large portion of the crowd will be from the Greek community.”
Following the arrival of the Governor of Western Australia on the day, Christopher Dawson, official welcome addresses will take place at the Kings Park site, including a Welcome to Country expected to be performed by Noongar Elder, Di Ryder.
When a memorial is dedicated, there are quite strict protocols that need to be followed.
“But the governor has kindly allowed a break in protocol to allow Arthur Leggett to lay the first wreath at the memorial,” Evangel said.
The Battle of Crete Veteran will be sitting front row.
“We have Arthur listed to give the Ode of Remembrance, so he will say a few words. It’s obviously a very special occasion and we want to give him all the respect that he deserves.”
Manoli Yeroyiannakis is the President of the Cretan Brotherhood of WA and a member of the subcommittee for the memorial.
He is excited that the project is coming to fruition, six years after its inception.
“And it’s gonna be great to see our last [in WA] war veteran, Arthur Leggett, to be here to see it being unveiled.
“He said to me, ‘I’m still gonna hang around till this memorial gets built’,” he told Neos Kosmos and shared the personal significance the dedication event holds for him.
“It’s an honour for me that we’re doing this unveiling for him and all the other Battle of Crete veterans I’ve met during my childhood since my father was a founding member of the Cretan Brotherhood.”
He said he feels part “of keeping the legacy going.”
The cost of the Battle of Crete Memorial is estimated at between $600,000 and $700,000 with maintenance expenses expected to be counted in the final figure.
Evangel said the project enjoyed generous support from the Greek community, Federal and State governments, the Greek Consul, the National Trust of Western Australia, the RSL WA, the City of Perth, St Andrew’s Grammar, and other donors including Lottery West and the Greek state.
Christos Sasiakos, Deputy Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff will also be present at the event as part of a delegation representing the Greek government.
The idea of erecting a memorial for the Battle of Crete started from a brainstorming discussion between Evangel and historian John Yiannakis, as a tribute to the historical battle linking Australians and Greeks “that was perhaps not given due recognition in the wider community.”
The memorial design attributed to Joan and Charlie Smith of Smith Sculptors portrays a strong symbolism around war’s consequences on our lives, Dr Yiannakis had told Neos Kosmos in a previous interview.
“In particular, it seeks to acknowledge the courage, sacrifice and commitment of those who served and endured the Battle of Crete, both Australian and Greek, in their defence of liberty,” Dr Yiannakis noted.
Cretan Brotherhood’s Yeroyiannakis said this is what makes it important for members of the broader community to attend the dedication.
“It’s not just about the Κρητικοί [Cretans], but also to pay respect to the Australians who went there and helped their brothers in arms.
“So, it’s a matter of honour, of acknowledging the Κρητικοί, the Australians, everyone.
“And not to forget. Because at the end of the day, there’s no winners in war.”
The formal dedication of the Battle of Crete Memorial at the Saw Avenue precinct at Kings Park, Perth, will be held on Saturday 11 May. Please arrive at 9.45am for a 10.15am start at Saw Ave precinct Kings Park (entry via Thomas St).
