Tribute to Arthur Leggett OAM
GARSL and Battle of Crete Memorial Committee
Arthur Leggett OAM
The passing of Arthur saw the end of a special relationship that had developed over a number of years between the Committee members and Arthur.
One of our Committee’s major concerns, given Arthur’s advancing years, was to ensure we involved Arthur as much as possible in our journey during the creation of the Battle of Crete Memorial. To this end we were very fortunate and grateful to be able to include Arthur as our guest of honour at a number of major events. The following photographic summary highlights many of these occasions. (Comprehensive coverage of these events can be found on our website).
Book launch for The Battle of Crete – The Untold Stories 27 June 2016
West Australian Battle of Crete veterans 27 June 2016 Arthur Leggatt, Hal Finkelstein, Norm Eaton and Bill Taylor
Unveiling of the Battle of Crete Memorial Plaque by the Premier – Sunday 6 November 2022
Sod Turning Ceremony – 4 November 2023 at the Site of the BOC Memorial
Battle of Crete Memorial Committee Dedication Ceremony
Battle of Crete Memorial Committee Dedication Lunch – 11 May 2024
Presentation at Arthur’s Retirement Village
Arthur was interviewed during 2024 and a video of his life and involvement in the Battle of Crete was produced. He was presented with a copy of the video along with a plaque when a group of our Committee members visited him at his retirement village. As always, he was very grateful for the special and personal attention.
A Brief History
Arthur first enlisted for military service in 1936, becoming part of the newly raised Cameron Highlanders of Western Australia.
He then joined the first World War II Australian Imperial Force (AIF) unit raised in WA, the 2/11th Battalion, 6th Division.
It was here he trained as a signaller responsible for crucial communications between companies and battalion headquarters in the Middle East.
He served with distinction, fighting in Libya, Greece, and Crete.
But, at the age of 22 he was captured by German forces following the Battle of Crete – and remained a prisoner of war in Europe for almost four years.
He was a survivor of the infamous Lamsdorf Death March. Even his release was not without drama, with a plane tasked to take him to freedom losing a wheel on take-off.
He married his wartime sweetheart Eileen and together they raised a family in WA. (He is survived by two daughters, six grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.)
He was a WA masters running champion, he crossed the Nullarbor on a motorbike in his 70s and wrote his autobiography in his 80s.
Through his work as President of the Ex-Prisoners of War Association WA, Arthur dedicated much of his life after the war to ensuring that the sacrifices of serving men and women, as well as veterans, would be remembered for generations to come. He held this role for the last 29 years.
State Funeral
His willingness to engage with the media, attend a wide range of events and act as an educator gave him a very high community profile.
His bravery, humble nature and commitment to improving the life of others were recognized in the WA Sate Government’s decision to hold a historic state funeral on the 10 May 2025. The service which gave many organizations and individuals (including his Excellency the Governor of WA, Chris Dawson) the opportunity to publicly thank and honour Arthur, was broadcast on free to air TV.
The Consul of Greece in Perth Mrs Eleni Georgopoulou, highlighted Arthur’s involvement as a soldier who actually participated and survived the Battle of Crete. She was also able to relay the message from the Greek Prime Minister which encapsulates Arthur’s experiences and bravery very succinctly.
His message follows below.
May He Rest in Peace.
Message from the Greek Prime Minister,
Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis,
on the passing of Arthur Leslie Leggett OAM
“Today, Greece bows its head in Honor and gratitude as we bid farewell to the last surviving veteran of the Battle of Crete. On behalf of the Government of the Hellenic Republic and the Greek people, we extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences on the passing of Arthur Leslie Leggett OAM.
He was Western Australia’s last and oldest Battle of Crete veteran, and a former prisoner of war. Arthur’s life was a shining example of resilience, courage, and service.
His passing marks the end of an era: 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 Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign are significant moments in history for Australians, especially Greek Australians. Their legacy will continue to inspire generations of Greeks and Australians.
Arthur showed great courage and bravery during the Battle of Crete in 1941 and the darkest days of the Second World War. At just 22 years old, he was captured and taken to Germany, where he spent four years in a prisoner of war camp. He survived a brutal 800-kilometre march through mountainous terrain, without food or water, as German forces tried to move the POWs ahead of the Allies.
Arthur’s strength and endurance left us in awe. His lifelong dedication to honouring the sacrifices of his fellow veterans has made a lasting impact on our shared history.
The Battle of Crete did not end with the Allied evacuation of the island in 1941. The Cretan Resistance fought on until the German surrender in 1945. The Battle of Crete was and still is a testament to the bravery of a people who refused to surrender. The people of Crete paid an appalling price for their defiance, which has never been forgotten. They fought with everything they had. Many risked their lives to shelter thousands of Allied and ANZAC troops left behind in the chaos of the evacuation.
These acts of bravery and compassion remain powerful symbols of the bond between the Greek and Australian peoples. The legacy of that friendship will endure long after the passing of Arthur Leggett and his fellow veterans. Their memory lives on in our history and in the hearts of their families and the Cretans who stood by them.
For me, this farewell carries a personal weight: the story of the Battle of Crete is also the story of my own family. My father, Konstantinos Mitsotakis, was born in 1918, like Arthur. He was among those who lived through those dark days on his native soil, a young man shaped forever by the sights and sounds of resistance and loss. He was imprisoned and condemned to death twice. Like so many Cretans of his generation, he carried the memory of that battle not only in his words, but in his convictions and his service to our country.
For the ANZACs’ sacrifice at the Battle of Crete, the Government and the people of Greece will always be grateful.
Today, we honour Arthur’s legacy and the legacy of those who fought alongside him. They will live forever in the heart of our nation.
May he rest in peace, knowing his lifelong service will always stand as a beacon of courage and commitment. To the last veteran, we offer not only our deepest respect, but also our solemn promise:
That we will remember.
Lest we forget”