Western Australia’s last surviving veteran of the Battle of Crete, Arthur Leslie Leggett OAM who passed away on 6 April, was farewelled with honours on Friday, 10 May, in a funeral ceremony that underscored his extraordinary legacy of courage, endurance, and service.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, sent an official message of tribute, which was read out by the Consul of Greece in Perth, Eleni Georgopoulou, during the service. Georgopoulou also laid a wreath on behalf of the Hellenic Republic, paying respects on behalf of the Greek state and its people.
In his message, Prime Minister Mitsotakis expressed deep gratitude, stating, “Today, Greece bows its head in honour and gratitude as we bid farewell to the last surviving veteran of the Battle of Crete.” Referring to Leggett as “a shining example of resilience, courage, and service,” the Prime Minister acknowledged the profound impact of his life, which spanned more than a century and included wartime heroism and postwar advocacy for veterans.
Arthur Leggett was just 22 years old when he fought in the 1941 Battle of Crete during World War II. Captured by German forces, he spent four years as a prisoner of war in Germany. His endurance became legendary, particularly after surviving an 800-kilometre forced march through mountainous terrain without food or water—an ordeal imposed by retreating German troops moving prisoners away from advancing Allied forces.
“His passing marks the end of an era,” said Mitsotakis. “A chapter of living history closes—a chapter written in courage, sacrifice, and the unbreakable will of those who fought for freedom in one of the most heroic moments of World War II.”
The Prime Minister also paid tribute to the powerful historical bond forged between Greeks and Australians during the Battle of Crete and the broader Greek Campaign.
“These acts of bravery and compassion remain powerful symbols of the bond between the Greek and Australian peoples,” he noted.
In a personal reflection, Mitsotakis shared that the story of the Battle of Crete is also part of his own family history. His father, former Prime Minister Konstantinos Mitsotakis, was born in 1918—the same year as Leggett—and lived through the Nazi occupation of Crete, enduring imprisonment and death sentences during the war.
“The people of Crete paid an appalling price for their defiance, which has never been forgotten,” Mitsotakis said, highlighting the Cretan resistance and the villagers who risked their lives to shelter Allied troops.
Concluding his message, the Prime Minister offered a solemn promise:
“To the last veteran, we offer not only our deepest respect but also our solemn promise: That we will remember. Lest we forget.”
