Wreath Laying Ceremony for the Battle of Crete Commemoration Service
18 May 2025
Battle of Crete Memorial
Saw Avenue Kings Park WA
Members of both the Battle of Crete Memorial Committee and Greek Australian Returned and Services League Incorporated were very proud to have the 84th Anniversary of the Battle of Crete Commemoration Service and Wreath Laying Ceremony showcased at the recently completed Battle of Crete Memorial in Kings Park.
The wreath laying ceremony was the first major event to be held at the recently completed Battle of Crete Memorial.
The ceremony was organised by the Consul of Greece in Perth Mrs Eleni Georgopoulou. The ceremony began with prayers from the Greek Orthodox Clergy. This was followed by a number of individual pieces extremely well delivered by students from a variety of organizations.
Greek Orthodox Clergy Introducing the Ceremony with Prayers
Courtesy Robi Gerovasilis Photography
Students from Saint Andrews Singing the Two National Anthems
Courtesy Robi Gerovasilis Photography
His Excellency the Governor of WA, Mr Chris Dawson led the wreath laying segment of the service.
Chris Dawson Laying a Wreath
Courtesy Robi Gerovasilis Photography
Courtesy DRD
At the conclusion of the wreath laying, Mr Dawson delivered a speech which emphasised the courage of all who participated and endured the Battle. He made special note of the contribution of Arthur Leggett, the oldest remaining POW and soldier who participated in the Battle. Arthur passed away on Sunday April 6, 2025.
Courtesy Robi Gerovasilis Photography
Mr Dawson paid tribute to other soldiers who were involved in the Battle including, Norm Elliot, Bill Taylor, Ray Sandover, (All of whom have their personal histories detailed on our website). He also made special mention of the people of Crete who both risked and lost their lives protecting and feeding our soldiers after the battle.
The Greek Consul in her speech further reinforced Mr Dawson’s comments and made the observation that The Battle of Crete did not end with the evacuation of the island of Crete by Allied Forces in 1941. Instead, it continued with the Cretan Resistance until the final German surrender in 1945. The people of Crete paid an appalling price for their defiance and protection of the allies which has never been forgotten.
She concluded her speech with the following pertinent poem by Buster Doug Beckett.
The Greek Consul Eleni Georgopoulou Delivers Her Speech.
Courtesy Robi Gerovasilis Photography
The olive groves are now deserted,
Weary soldiers hide there no more,
Waiting for night-time and the darkness,
Praying that boats will reach the shore.
They were battle hardened and bloodied,
Bearing the battle scars of war.
If only the olive trees could speak,
I wonder what they would say,
Having listened to their conversations,
And watched as they knelt to pray…
The sun still warms the olive trees,
The rain still touches every leaf,
The breeze still stirs the branches,
I wonder if the trees can still feel their grief…
We will never let others forget
the sacrifice they made for our freedom,
with brave hearts and no regret…
For the soldiers who never came home,
let us pray for them and shed a tear,
and for those who escaped or were captured,
remember to tell them “We were here” …
Buster Doug Beckett
Lest we forget…