In 2012 the Pancretan Association of Melbourne commissioned Mr. Tony Tsourdalakis with the task of locating all the Veterans stories that had never been published and that had never been documented, so that our children and future generations have something to reflect on, with real life recollections from our ANZAC Crete Veterans.
A year later and Mr. Tsourdalakis had collected over 100 Veterans stories with priceless photographs , poems, letters, journals and personal diaries. Next task was to locate someone who had the drive, the passion and the commitment to edit it and present it in a professional manner. So the Pancretan Association appointed Mrs. Dina Gerolymou to document this amazing archive in a historical book.
So 2 years later in May 2014 Dr. Peter Ewer, well known author and historian launched the book to the Australian Veteran Community in Melbourne to over 300 people and in the presence of living Anzac Crete Veterans Norman Maddock, Gordon Beal, Arthur Leggett and Les Manning.
Fast forward 12 months and in May 2015 the book was presented to the Greek Australian Community of Sydney, at the request of the Consul General of Greece in New South Wales Dr. Stavros Kyrimis and the support of the Cretan Association of NSW, to over 150 people in the presence of living ANZAC Crete Veteran Mr Alf Carpenter.
So after many years of hard work , effort and personal commitment we felt very proud that our book was also presented to the Australian Community here in the lovely City of Perth by the Honourable Peter Katsambanis, MLC, Member for Norther Metropolitan Region on behalf of the Premier of Western Australia, in the presence of four living ANZAC Crete Veterans namely Norm Eaton, Bill Taylor, Hal Finkelstein and Arthur Leggett.
The event was hosted by the Lord Mayor of Perth Cr. Lisa Scaffidi, who welcomed all the guests to a cocktail Reception in the wonderful Council chambers. Messages were also conveyed by Rev. Father Elpidios, the Consul of Greece in Perth Mr. Antonis Kolliadis. The Author of the Book, Ms. Dina Gerolymou gave an in depth account of her findings , and the Chairman of the Battle of Crete & Greece Commemorative Council of Victoria Mr. Tony Tsourdalakis, presented the four ANZAC Crete Veterans Hal Finkelstein, Norm Eaton, Arthur Leggett and Bill Taylor with Honorary Life Memberships and commemorative plaques. It should be noted that the students from the St. Andrews Greek Orthodox College sang the National Anthems of Greece and Australia.
