Out Now! - Anzac Biscuit Commemorative Tins Honour the Anzacs in the Greek and Crete Campaigns of 1941

Anzac Biscuit Commemorative Tin. Photo Jim Claven 2017

An iconic image of Australian diggers on the Acropolis in early 1941 will feature on the UNIBIC Commemorative Anzac Biscuit Tin. These tins – which contain Anzac biscuits - are produced by UNIBIC with proceeds going to the RSL to support its work assisting veterans and their families.
Each edition of the tin is adorned with a historic image from Australia's ANZAC legend. This is the first time that an image from the Greece and Crete campaigns has featured on the tins. The initiative is the result of a proposal from Mr Tony Tsourdalakis on behalf of the Battle of Crete and the Greek campaign Commemorative Council.

The Anzac Biscuit Tins help raise awareness of the Anzac involvement in the Greek and Crete campaign of 1941. Photo Jim Claven 2017

Mr Tsourdalakis, who is Secretary of the Council, said that it was a great honour to have Greece and its connection to Anzac chosen to feature on this year’s commemorative tin.It will bring the story of the Anzacs in Greece to thousands of homes across Australia. What a great gift for your friends and loved ones!

Anzacs on the Acropolis. AWM

The image is one of the most iconic photographs of the Australian involvement in the Greek campaign held in the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
It shows diggers on the Acropolis, resting beneath the famous Caryatids of the Erechtheion. It symbolizes the experience of Greece and its culture by the thousands of Australian soldiers and nurses during the campaign in Greece and Crete. Soon these relaxing diggers sitting on the Acropolis would move north to join with Greek and other Allied troops to face the looming German invasion of Greece.

Photo Jim Claven 2015

Photo Jim Claven 2015

The image is so famous that it was used by the Australian Government to promote the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Greece and Crete in 2011.

Poster produced by the Australian Department of Veterans Affairs, 2001

For all those interested in the Hellenic link to Anzac - go out now and buy yourself one of these iconic tins before they sell out!
The Tins can currently be purchased at major IGA supermarkets but should be available from other outlets in the future.
Hopefully we will have more iconic images from the Hellenic link to Anzac on the tins in the future!
Well done to Tony and all involved in the Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign Commemorative Council.

Jim Claven
Secretary, Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee
Member, Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign Commemorative Council