Dedication

Battle of Crete Memorial – Dedication Ceremony

The Battle of Crete Memorial was officially dedicated on May 11, 2024, within the Saw Avenue precinct of Kings Park, Perth. The ceremony brought together more than 400 attendees, including dignitaries, veterans, and members of the public, to honour the courage and sacrifice of Australian and Cretan service personnel who fought side by side during the Battle of Crete in 1941.

Among those in attendance were The Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM, Governor of Western Australia, and The Honourable Roger Cook MLA, Premier of Western Australia, and veterans such as Arthur Leggett, then the oldest surviving veteran of the campaign.

The event featured a keynote address by Archbishop Makarios of Australia, who reflected on the enduring values of courage, freedom, and solidarity represented by the memorial. A highlight of the dedication was a Royal Australian Air Force flypast, symbolising remembrance and unity between the two nations.

This monument stands as the first memorial in Australia fully dedicated to the Battle of Crete, commemorating not only the soldiers who fought and fell but also the shared bond of resilience and sacrifice between the people of Australia and Crete.