Jim Claven’s Grecian Adventure: Anzac Trail Stories and Photographs – Greece
1941 takes the reader on a journey across Greece in April and May 1941,
following the Anzac trail throughout the Greek campaign, from the northern Greek
battlefields of Vevi and Servia, through Brallos and Corinth, to Kalamata and
the Mani, and on to Crete.
The reader is guided by the individual
stories and photographs of some of the Australian soldiers who served in that
desperate and fateful campaign. The soldiers featured include Private Syd Grant
and Sergeant Alfred Huggins, both from Western Victoria.
The book
comprises 335 pages, including 13 maps, with a further 48 pages of archival
photographs of the campaign. The latter are a feature of the book, reproducing
nearly 100 original photographs of Greece during the campaign, from the
collections of Syd and Alfred, two collections which the author assisted in
their donation to Melbourne’s State Library of Victoria.
These
amazing images are enhanced with nearly 100 photographs taken the author as he
walked Greece’s Anzac trail over many years. The book is a feast for the eyes,
telling the campaign story in personal terms, in words and pictures.
The book is a great addition to the literature of the campaign, a
celebration of this important part in the Hellenic link to Australia’s Anzac
tradition, following on from the author’s previous publication, Lemnos and
Gallipoli Revealed.
Published by
Melbourne’s Pammessinian Brotherhood Papaflessas, the publication was supported
by the Victorian Government through its Veteran’s Grants program, as well as
many Greek-Australian community organizations (including Pammessinian
Brotherhood Papaflessas, the Central Pontian Association of Melbourne and
Victoria “Pontiaki Estia”, the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee and the
Agios Dimitrios “Olympou” Philanthropic & Cultural League) along with many
individual contributions (including the Grant, Huggins and Byrne families).
To purchase contact Jim Claven via email - jimclaven@yahoo.com.au.
Launch ReportsRead the report in Neos Kosmos newspaper about the recent
Papaflessas annual dinner dance on 27 May 2022, naming of Kalamata Place and the
advance release of my new book Grecian Adventure - by clicking
here. Read the report in the Greek Herald newspaper on the same
event - by clicking
here.Contributors and Endorsements
Dr Peter Ewer - Book Review In recent years,
Melbourne historian Jim Claven has brought to public attention many previously
untold aspects of the Australian military effort in Greece in both World Wars,
notably through his epic Lemnos & Gallipoli Revealed: A Pictorial History
of the Anzacs in the Aegean 1915-16, a magisterial volume which is the
definitive work on the topic. In the course of his research, Claven has made
contact with the families of many veterans, and in doing so, has uncovered
priceless diaries and photo albums. True to his calling, Claven has secured
these for future generations by helping the families place them with the State
Library of Victoria. Now safely archived, Claven has delved into these
historical treasures, and the result is Grecian Adventure: Greece 1941, Anzac
Trail Stories and Photographs.
Above - “Athens, April 1941.” Syntagma Square, Athens. Private Kevin Byrne
photographed in Athens’ main square, the Hellenic Parliament at rear,
photograph taken by a local Greek photographer, April 1941. Kevin Byrne
Collection, Photograph reproduced courtesy of Michael Byrne
The
heart of the book beats with the photographs taken by Private Syd Grant and
Sergeant Alfred Huggins, with a couple also by Private Kevin Byrne. These give
a fabulous insight into the ‘lived experience’, not of Generals and
politicians, but of ‘ordinary’ soldiers – not that there was anything ordinary
about them or their adventures. From their departure from Egypt in March 1941,
through to sight-seeing in Athens before the German invasion, mixing with
enthusiastic and hospitable locals, and on to the campaign itself, complete
with bombing raids and harrowing scenes of casualty and burial parties at
work- all are caught by the sharp eyes of the Australian soldiers-cum war
photographers. For this reason alone, Claven’s latest book can be commended
without question to all those interested in the Anzac experience in Greece,
and its importance to the enduring relationship between Australia and
Greece.
Above - “Young women waving paper flags for the "Greece War Victims Appeal"
on the 14th February, 1941”, The Argus (Melbourne), 1941. State Library of
Victoria, Collection, Reference H98.100/3448.
But there is more
even than this in Grecian Adventure. Claven has surrounded the original
photographs of Grant, Huggins and Byrne with a mix of stories about the
campaign in Greece,. Among the best of these are the two chapters that
describe the extent of Australian community support for Greece following
Mussolini’s invasion in October 1940. Here we get a real sense of the
passionate support for Greece among ordinary Australians in this dark hour,
and the remarkable fundraising efforts that resulted. This was a community
mobilisation that has regrettably slipped somewhat from public mind, perhaps
overshadowed by the crisis of Australia’s war in 1942 when the country
itself was attacked by the Japanese. Claven does an excellent job in
retrieving this feature of the wartime experience for the modern reader.
Above - Pinieos River Gorge,
through which German armour advanced on the Anzac positions on April 18, 1941.
Photograph Jim Claven 2013.
Returning to Greece and Crete, Claven
provides wide-ranging accounts of individual battles, including the at Vevi
that opened the fighting for the Anzacs, and that at Platamonas and Pinieos
Gorge, where the entire Anzac fighting force narrowly escaped destruction.
These chapters benefit enormously from Claven’s own travels across the length
and breadth of Greece and Crete, a personal odyssey that brings contemporary
freshness to wartime history.
In all, Grecian Adventure is a fine
addition to the Greek campaign literature, well-worthy of the funding support
it received from the Victorian Government’s grants program to commemorate the
75th Anniversary of the end of World War Two. Grants of this kind are not made
without community support, so a special commendation to the Pammessinian
Brotherhood Papaflessas, who sponsored the project, along with the other
community organisations and individuals who contributed to its publication.
A graduate of both Macquarie and RMIT universities, Dr Peter Ewer
is the author of many historical works including Forgotten Anzacs: The
Campaign in Greece, 1941, published by Scribe, which drew on his many
interviews with Australian and New Zealand service personnel who served in
Greece during the campaign.
This review was recently published
online by The Greek Herald, see the online version by clicking
here.Konstantinos Kalymnios - Review Author, commentator and contributor to Neos Kosmos has written
the following the review of Grecian Adventure, published on 18 June 2022.
You can read the online version of the above review by clicking
here.
SBS Interview - Jim Claven with SBS' Pano Apostolou on the Grecian Adventure
A big thank you to Pano Apostolou and SBS Radio for interviewing me about my new book Grecian Adventure. Click on the link here to listen to the interview.
Melbourne's Greek Book Fair
Thanks to Melbourne's Greek Community of Victoria for the opportunity to showcase Grecian Adventure (as well as Lemnos & Gallipoli Revealed) at the recent inaugural Greek Book Fair at the Greek Community Centre in Lonsdale over the 26-27 November weekend. Great opportunity to meet author local authors, book sellers and readers. Great initiative.
Author Henrietta Megarry - Book Review
Recently I received the following review of Grecian Adventure from Henrietta Megarry. Henrietta lives in the UK and is herself the author of a book on Lemnos and its role in the Gallipoli campaign, entitled Lemnos in History - Greek Island Base for Gallipoli. Thank you Henrietta for taking the time to review the book. Enjoy.
"Following on from his detailed and beautifully illustrated book about the island of Lemnos in 1915, Jim Claven has turned his attention to the Second World War and, in particular, to the Greek campaign of 1941 in which Anzac forces played an important part.
Once again, he has reproduced a fascinating collection of contemporary photographs. This time they are mostly taken by just two Australian soldiers, Private Syd Grant and Sergeant Alfred Huggins. As well as these, the book is illustrated by coloured photographs taken by the author himself as he travelled through Greece in the steps of the retreating Allied forces. Also included are pictures of present day Greek people who have shared their stories of the past with him.
Each chapter is designed to be read individually or as a part of the whole book. As the troops moved south from Vevi in the north, their “fighting withdrawal” took them to evacuation beaches further south. For example, the Battle of Kalamata Waterfront is vividly portrayed. Some 50,000 British and Empire troops were successfully evacuated from Greece. Another 11,000 were captured by the Germans
and many of the Allied ships were sunk.
In this interesting book, stories of the campaign are told by Australians and Greeks, then and now. Accompanied by substantial references, they make an important contribution to the history of Australia and Greece in 1941. As Jim Claven concludes: “Thrown together by the violence of war, human beings also demonstrated their common humanity.”
Oakleigh-Carnegie RSL
It was great to catch up in October 2022 with two good friends at the Oakleigh-Carnegie RSL Sub-Branch - both veterans - President Douglas Pendergast and David Thompson - to present the RSL with a copy of Grecian Adventure for their new members library. This RSL Sub-Branch have been very active in their own commemorative events (one of which was the restoration of their fine First World War Honour Board, pictured behind them in the photo below) and also good supporters of my own work.
Municipality of Korinth
Wonderful to meet with representatives of the Mayor of Korinthos, Mr
Vasilios Nanopoulos, to discuss the installation of our new WW2 commemorative
plaques honouring those who served in the Battle of Corinth Canal of 26 April
1941 and those Allied POW's who were imprisoned in the camp established by the
Germans in Corinth after the end of the Greek campaign on the mainland in April
1941. We discussed my research into the subject and the creation of both
plaques, funded by the Pankorinthian Association of Melbourne and Victoria. We
explained how the plaques are now at the Peloponnese regional government in
Tripolis and coordination for their installation will take place between the
Korinthos Municipality and the Peloponnese Regional Government. The
Municipality representative expressed the Mayor's support for such initiatives.
I took the opportunity to present the Mayor 's representative with a copy of my
new book - Grecian Adventure -
which contains the story of both the plaques and the historical events which
they commemorate. We look forward to working together in the future to enhance
Korinthos and the wider Peloponnese' role in the Anzac Trail across Greece in
1941. On behalf of both myself and Melbourne's Pankorinthian Association I
thanked the Municipality for their time in meeting us today And of course, it
was great to spend some time in lovely Korinthos! A big thank you to Vicki Kyritsis and her dad George for their help with translations.
Mr. Panagiotis Nikas - Peloponnese Region Governor
Such a great pleasure in July 2022 to met the Governor of the
Peloponnese to discuss the Anzac Trail in Greece and specifically the new
commemorative plaques we have created in Melbourne (thanks to both the
Pammessinian Brotherhood Papaflessas and the Pankorinthian Association) for
installation at key historic locations connected to the Greek campaign of 1941.
I took the opportunity to present Mr Panagiotis Nikas, the Governor, with a
copy of my new book - Grecian Adventure -
which includes images of all 4 plaques and historical story behind the events
commemorated. I did so on behalf of both myself and Papaflessas. The plaques have
now been collected by the Governor's
office, who will then coordinate with the local municipalities on their final
delivery and installation at the sites concerned - and future unveiling,
hopefully by April 2023. We discussed the importance of the Anzac Trail in
Greece, its possible extent from Lemnos through mainland Greece to Crete, the
importance of recognizing the Peloponnese component in that story and its
potential to boost tourism. Looking forward to working with Governor Nikas in
the future. Thanks again to the Governor, his staff and of course Vicki Kyritsis for translating our discussion.
Mr. Thanasis Vassilopoulos - Mayor of Kalamata
Great to catch up with
Thanasis Vasilopoulos, the Mayor of Kalamata, in July 2022 to discuss the Anzac Trail in
Greece, specifically the installation of our new commemorative memorial to the
Battle of Kalamata Waterfront in 1941. Took the opportunity to present the
Mayor with a copy of my new book - Grecian Adventure - which includes photos of
the new plaque on behalf of both myself and the Pammessinian Brotherhood
Papaflessas in Melbourne. Was honoured to receive the Municipality's new book
on 1821 and Messinia. Also discussed the Mayor's forthcoming trip to Melbourne
where he will assist in the formal launch of Grecian Adventure. Thanks to the Municipality's Public Relations & Cultural Events Coordinator Astri
Mavrea for her assistance. Thanks to Vicki Kyritsis for
assistance with translation - as usual.
Mr Dimitrios Giannamaras - Mayor of the Western Mani
Great to meet Dimitrios Giannamaras, Mayor of the Western Mani, and
thank him for taking time out from his schedule to discuss the Anzac Trail
in Greece and our plans for a new memorial at Trahila in honour of the Anzac's
and other Allie soldiers who evaded capture by the German and were helped by the
local population throughout the region. Dimitros expressed his support for the
proposal and insisted that the event would be impressive, requesting the need
for an Australian Flag and appropriate music. Had a wonderful lunch with the
Mayor in beautiful Kardamyli, talking also of his love of art, hunting and
folklore. Looking forward to returning for the unveiling at Trahila. Took the opportunity to present the Mayor with a copy of my book - Grecian Adventure - which includes the story of Trahila and its part in the Greek campaign of 1941. Thanks
again to Vicki Kyritis for assistance with the translations.
Peter Georgopoulos & Rhonda Cousens - Methone Commemorative Philhellenes
Great to present two of my Philhellene friends - Peter Georgopoulos, Rhonda Cousens - with a copy of Grecian Adventure in their (other) home town of Methone. It was great to being a collaboration with Rhonda and Peter many years ago that led to the installation of the WW2 memorial at Pylos in 2018, commemorating the Allied POW Sebastiano Veneiro tragedy, bring veteran Bill Rudd’s hope into reality, with the support of Melbourne’s Pammessinian Brotherhood Papaflessas. Earlier in the day Rhonda took me on a wonderful personal tour of Methone Castle - rich in history, stretching back to ancient times, all the way through its Venetian and bloody Ottoman periods and playing a terrifying role in WW2. The Castle site is immense, a village or town within a castle really, ending at the Bourzi, a smaller castle, really a lockout, which was the site of a terrible massacre in Ottoman times. To the immediate north of the Castle walls lie the rocks on which the WW2 Italian transport - the Sebastiano Veneiro - carrying hundreds of Allied POWs captured in North Africa, came to grief, many dying, others making their way ashore. Rhonda and Peter have been researching this aspect of Methone's past for many years, including their family connection to the tragedy and the fate of many of those who died on its rocks. Such an honour to listen to Rhonda recount the story of the ship and its fate in situ. The book presentation was on behalf of both myself and the Pammessinian Brotherhood Papaflessas in recognition of their commemorative work. Well done Peter and Rhonda.
Municipality of Pylos-Nestoros
On 18 July 2022 visited our two commemorative memorials at Pylos and Methone - dedicated to two separate WW2 naval and Allied POW tragedies - and great to see them looking good. Took the opportunity to present the Mayor of Pylos-Nestoros (represented by one of the staff - pictured above) with a copy of my new book - Gecian Adventure - and discussed future commemorative services at Pylos and Methone as part of future (hopefully next year) Anzac commemorative tours across Greece. Remembered the great events organised by the municipality at the plaque unveilings in 2018. A big thank you to both Melbourne's Papaflessas and Navarino clubs for supporting my proposal for the plaques all those years ago, especially George Iliopoulos and George Saratsiotis. Can only think how proud of you all the late veteran Sapper Bill Rudd felt at the creation of these plaques which he had hoped for over many years. You have also created a legacy for Australia in your home towns in Greece - which will soon by joined by other commemorative plaques commemorating Greece's Anzac trail. Bravo!
Mr. David KilhamDeputy - Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy in Athens
Had the pleasure in July 2020 of meeting the Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy in Athens, Mr David Kilham. Provided him with a briefing on Anzac-related commemorative developments, including my professional work with the Australian Government's Lemnos Remembrance Trail project. Discussed the work of our Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee, as well as that of other like-minded Greek-Australian community organizations (such as the Pamessinian Brotherhood Papaflessas, Pankorinthian Association, Agios Dimitrio Association, Pontiaki Estia and George Treloar Committee etc), informing him of the coming installation of 6 new commemorative plaques at Anzac-related sites across Greece. Took the opportunity to present the Embassy with complimentary copies of Lemnos & Gallipoli Revealed on behalf of the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee and my latest book, Grecian Adventure. Mr Kilham said that the Embassy was aware of our work, congratulated us all on our efforts to date and encouraged us to keep on promoting the Hellenic link to Australia's Anzac story Anzac story into the future. A big thank you to Lousi Kalfagian facilitating my meeting.
John Irwin - Anzac Documentary Film-maker
Good to catch with my good friend, documentary filmmaker and fellow researcher,
New Zealand's John William Irwin - over a coffee with Cretan author George
Dalidakis - discussing the Hellenic link to Australia's Anzac story and all
things Crete. John has conducted a lot of original research on Crete and other
locations in Greece, capturing important first-hand testimony of WW2 as well
as surveying vital NZ archival photographs and records. He has already
produced a number of important documentaries on the subject, including in how
the war impacted on the women of Crete. Looking forward to working with John
and Dr Peter Ewer on an important new documentary project - watch this space.
Took the opportunity to present John with a copy of my new book, Grecian
Adventure. Safe travels John - 4 July 2022.
Pontiaki Estia - Grecian Adventure Book Supporters
A big thank you to all at the Pontiaki Estia for their support for my
latest book, Grecian Adventure. Without the support of organizations like
these, my book on the Hellenic link to Australia's Anzac story in WW2 would
not have been published. Caught up with a few of the great team at the Estia
to handover copies to the club - and enjoyed a coffee and spanakopita at Nikos
in Fairfield. Its been great to work with the Estia team on a range of
projects over the years, especially the George Treloar Memorial in Ballarat.
Lovely to see Con and Vicki Tseprailidis - 3 July 2022
Vasilis Batsakis - Neos Kosmos reader
Today it was great to meet Vasilis Batsakis, who approached me at Nikos in
Fairfield to compliment me on my historical articles published in Neos
Kosmos. He is justly proud of his personal non-fiction historical library of
some 2,000 volumes. He was also keen to purchase a copy of my new book,
Grecian Adventure. I await his review. Such a pleasure to be approached by
readers who appreciate my writing. Thank you Vasilis - 3 July 2022
Neil Churches - Greek Campaign Veterans Son, Author and Tour Guide
Lovely to catch up recently with my good friend Neil Churches (above),
Greek campaign veterans son, author and tour guide. Neil has been
responsible for making sure that the story of his father's amazing WW2 war
service is available for the appreciation of future generations. Ralph
Churches served in the Greek campaign of 1941. After the fall of Tolo (near
Nafplio in the Peloponnese), Ralph and a group of other Allied soldiers
attempted to evade capture by sailing along the southern coast of Greece,
only to be captured. He would experience the German POW camps at Corinth and
Thessaloniki, the latter often being referred to by its former inmates as a
Hell Camp. Ralph's desire to escape would continue ending in his successful
escape through wartime Yugoslavia, orchestrating the escape of himself and
over 100 other Allied escapers, assisted and lead by the local partisans
over a dangerous 160 mile journey over the ALPs, pursued by German troops,
eventually reaching Allied lines in Italy. Neil's re-telling of Ralph's
wartime story - assisted by historical researcher Edmund Goldrick - has
recently been published by Pan Macmillan, titled The Greatest Escape
(below). The book is thoroughly researched, drawing on Yugoslav, UK,
Australians and other important records. I recommend the book to all
interested in the Australian experiences of the Greek campaign, the prisoner
experience and those who escaped German captivity. A cracking read. Neil
also leads regular tours of his father's escape route through Slovenia.
Thank you to Neil for allowing my access to his father's account of his time
in wartime Greece. It is through the dedication of many individuals like
Neil that historians and researchers are assisted by the survival of these
personal stories and records. I hope he enjoys my own new book, Grecian
Adventure. Thank you Neil - June 2022
Phil Evans - Greek Campaign Veterans Son
Great to be able to send a copy of my new book Grecian Adventure to my good
friend and fellow researcher, Philip Evans. Philip was so gracious to have
shared his own family story of the Greek campaign with me many years ago and
we have been fortunate to have been able to meet up in Greece to walk the
ground where the campaign was fought. Philip 's father was Private Arthur
Evans from Western Australia, who served during the campaign with 2/2nd Army
Field Workshops, 5th Recovery Section. Arthur's Greek campaign came to an end
on the shores of Tolo on the Peloponnese, near Nafplio. He was one of the
estimated 1,300 Allied soldiers who were captured on the 28 April after the
battle fought on the outskirts of the town and its later fall to the Germans.
Arthur then experience the long night of imprisonment as a POW first in Greece
then in the camps established across German-occupied Europe. A few years back
I was able to meet up with Philip at Tolo near the beach where his father's
Greek campaign came to an end. Philip is a member of the UK-based Greek
Campaign Veterans Brotherhood. Thanks to Philip for sharing his family story
with me - 27 June 2022
Aron Segal - Greek Campaign Veterans Relative
Great to catch up today with my good friend and researcher
Aron Segal at Oakleigh's Vanilla Cafe. Aron is the relative of
a number of family members connected to Australia's Anzac story. One of these
is his namesake and uncle Aron Wajcman who served with Palestine Pioneer Corps
in the Greek campaign of 1941 - alongside the many Australian and other Allied
soldiers who took part in the campaign. He was most likely captured following
the fall of Kalamata at the end of April, then being held in various transit
camps established by the Germans in Greece before being transferred to other
POW camps in Europe, in particular Stalags 18A and 8B. Great company,
discussing various historical subjects, as well as the usual book exchanges!
Hope Aron likes my new book Grecian Adventure and its recounting of the
capture of Allied soldiers and their POW experience in Greece - 23 June 2022.
As Aron said: "Great to catch up today and to get my hands on your latest book
which I will read with much interest. To fill in some of the gaps, my uncle
was transferred to Stalag 18A in Volfsberg, Austria arriving there on 1 July
1941 where he became POW 4875. Following intervention by the Red Cross, he
along with other POWs were transferred to Stalag 8B in Lamsdorf in Upper
Silesia on 1st August 1941. He was liberated by the American 7th Army on 2nd
April 1945 at Bad Orb, near Frankfurt-A-Main after having survived the 960 km
Long March from Stalag 8B. Photograph of Aron Wajcman taken on his arrival at
Volfsberg."
Deb Stewart - Veterans Daughter and Supporter
Great to catch up with my good friend
Deb Elizabeth Stewart at
this lovely local cafe in Murrumbenna, Levi, to present her with her copies of
my new book Grecian Adventure. Deb, the grand-daughter of Australian nurse
Evelyn Hutt who served on Lemnos in 1915-16, has been actively involved with
our Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee for many years and has shared in
some of my commemorative field trips to Greece's Anzac-related sites. She was
also an early supporter of the Grecian Adventure book project. A big thank you
to Deb for her support over many years - 21 June 2022
Catherine Bell and Rob Grant - Private Syd Grant's family
How wonderful it was for myself and partner Vicki Kyritsis to catch up over
the weekend with Catherine Bell, Rob Grant and family -
descendants of Greek campaign veteran Syd Grant. If it wasn't for my meeting
up with Catherine all those years ago - thanks to my good friend Paul
Sougleris of the Pammessinian Brotherhood Papaflessas - I would never have
been introduced to Syd's story and his amazing photographic archive - and it
was with the support of the Syd Grant family that we were able to finally
publish Syd's story and photographs in my new book Grecian Adventure. We had
a long chat about Syd and the book, the new commemorative plaque we have
created and hope to install at the village of Trahila in the Mani from where
Syd escaped capture by the Germans - as well as discussing Syd's of his
travels to High Street Northcote in search of his beloved Kalamata olives -
and his love of Scotch whisky! And behind the photograph of me with
Catherine and Rob - is the iconic photograph of Syd's soldier settlement
farm he named Kalamata, in recognition of those who helped him during the
Greek campaign of 1941. A big thank you to Catherine and partner James for a
lovely afternoon, sumptuous lunch and great company! Looking forward to
catching up again soon - including at the formal book launch later in the
year - maybe enjoying some olives and single malt in Syd's honour! - 19 June
2022
Craig Tolson - Editor/Reader of Grecian Adventure
Post-Bloomsday catch-up with one of my editor/readers in the production of
Grecian Adventure - my old friend, literary officiando and sparring-partner
Craig Tolson - over a great Brendan Behan-esque late lunch of freshly shucked
oysters washed down with lovely stout - what better way to celebrate his
important contribution to the publication of Grecian Adventure and discuss
Homer, Joyce and other great contributions to literature! - 17 June 2022
George Dalidakis - The Historian of Sfakia
Lovely to catch up with my good friend
George Dalidakis today,
to exchange books and stories about both our inquiries into Greek and
Australian history - as well as record albums! Brought back memories of my
visit to the southern Cretan village of Sfakia during the annual Anzac
commemorations, where I came across his published history of Sfakia, a great
find and great book. Thank you George for your efforts to preserve the history
of this region, important to both Greeks and Australians. Gave me the
opportunity to discuss what I call in my book Grecian Adventure "the song of
Sfakia", the song Now is The Hour that was reportedly sung by the Allied
troops as the last barge departed the harbour in 1941, marking the end of the
Allied defence of Crete - and the beginning of the German occupation and
Cretan resistance - 16 June 2022
Andrew & Harry Ballis - Fellow Enthusiasts on the Hellenic Anzac
Trail
Amazing to catch up with the
Ballis clan today at the Ambrosia Cafe in Huntingdale - to thank Andrew (above
at right) for his help with my new book Grecian Adventure and to meet his
cousin & former Monash University academic Harry (above at left) and his
wife. Harry was keen to obtain both my Hellenic Anzac publications (including
Lemnos & Gallipoli Revealed). Looking forward to helping Harry with his
various interesting projects, covering the Asia Minor Hellenic experience and
the story of Australian Asia Minor refugee helpers the Loch family and many
more! A real pleasure for me - 15 June 2022
Arch Bregiannis - Field Research Contributor
Great to catch up with young Arch Bregiannis (above), one of my helpers in
my research for my new book Grecian Adventure, contributing important new
information on the location of the remains of Hellenic Anzac Gunner James
Zampelis and his comrades who were killed near Mournies on Crete during the
battle following the German invasion in May 1941. A big thank you to Arch
for taking the time out of his trip to Greece a few years back to search the
ground for this important part of the Hellenic Anzac story. His photographic
research is part of one the key chapters of the book. This along with my own
and other contributors (such as Eva Gaganis Gotsis and Paul Sougleris)
research has now been passed on to the relevant Australian military
authorities. Bravo Arch, was my pleasure to present him with a copy of
Grecian Adventure at one of Huntingdale's iconic Greek cake shops, Sweet
Heart Cakes! - 14 June 2022
Peter Vial - Greek Campaign Veteran's Son
Great to catch up with Peter Vial, the proud son of Greek campaign veteran
Captain Robert Vial (pictured in the original painting by Australian war
artist Sir William Dargie on the wall), the decorated Australian officer who
made his escape from German capture along the Mani coast following the fall of
Kalamata at the end of April 1941. Robert was a great swimmer and saved a
number of Allied soldiers from drowning during escape attempts by sea. He was
one of the over 200 Allied soldiers to be successfully embarked off the Mani -
along with Private's Syd Grant and George Foot - and was decorated for his
efforts with the award of DSO. My new book - Grecian Adventure - would have
been much the poorer without Peter having shared his father's story with me.
Thank you Peter. Read my account of Robert Vial's Greek campaign story by
clicking
here.- June 2022.
Felicia Leonardos - Allied civilian helper's daughter
So lovely to catch up with Felicia Leonardos (above) from Evia and present
her with a copy of my new book Grecian Adventure, stories and photographs of
the Australians in Greece in 1941, which was enriched by her telling the
story of her father Stamatos Katsatos who as a young man assisted Allied
soldiers evade and escape German capture in Greece during WW2. A big thank
you to people like Felicia who have generously shared with me their family
stories of Greece in WW2 - 7 June 2022
Angelo Kalomiris - German Occupation Witness
Lovely to meet up with Angelo Kalomiris (above right) and his grand-daughter
Angeliki (above left) at Oakleigh's Ambrosia Cafe to present him with a copy
of my new book Grecian Adventure, stories and photos from the 1941 Greek
campaign. My recounting of Lemnos' part in that campaign couldn't have been
told without Angelo's support, as he told me his experience on Lemnos as a
young boy during the German occupation. A big thank you to Angelo for
sharing his stories with us. And of course he is a fan of my earlier book,
Lemnos & Gallipoli Revealed! - 8 June 2022
David & Philip Huggins - Greek Campaign Veteran's Sons
Great to catch up today with Phillip (left above) and David (right above)
Huggins, son's of Greek campaign veteran Sergeant Alfred Huggins, one of the
diggers featured in my new book - Grecian Adventure - whose amazing collection
of campaign photographs feature in the book, alongside those of Private Syd
Grant. It's been a long and fruitful journey bringing the book to publication.
Great to be able to present them with copies of the book. Thanks to the
Huggins family for their support - 6 June 2022
Steve Gotsis - Papaflessas President
The author presenting Steve Gotsis - President of the Pammessinian Brotherhood
Papaflessas (Melbourne & Victoria) - with a copy of Grecian Adventure at
the advance release of the book at the Papaflessas annual independence dinner
dance in Melbourne. The book couldn't have been produced and published without
the sponsorship and support from Papaflessas - 27 May 2022
Konstantinos Kalymnos - Commentator, Writer and Author
The author presenting an advance copy of Grecian Adventure to celebrated
Melbourne author, writer and commentator Neos Kosmos contributor Konstantinos
Kalyminios (above right) - May 2022
Dimitris Konstantinidis - Greek journalist
With Greek-Australian journalist Dimitris Konstantinidis (above centre) and
the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee's Malcolm MacDonald (above
right), discussing the Hellenic link to Anzac while presenting Dimitris with
copies of my Grecian Adventure and Lemnos & Gallipoli at Fairfield's
Nikos Cakes - May 2022
Papaflessas Pre-Publication Briefing
Was a pleasure of mine to attend the Pammessinian Brotherhood Papaflessas' AGM
held at the weekend as an observer and to discuss and show them the final
draft of my latest book - The Grecian Adventure: Stories and photograph from
Greece's WW2 Anzac trail. Supported by the Victorian Government and the
Brotherhood this will be launched as a major contribution to our communities
commemoration of the anniversary of the Greek campaign. Photographs of myself
with President Ms Steve Gotsis, member Mr Katsambanis and academic Ms
Georgia-Juliana Charpantidou (Panteion University in Athens). Bravo to all
involved - February 2021
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