Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis on the passing of Arthur Leslie Leggett OAM
The Prime Minister of Greece, Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, paid tribute to the last Western Australian veteran who fought in the Battle of Crete, Arthur Leslie Leggett, through a message read at his funeral by the Consul of Greece in Perth, Ms. Eleni Georgopoulou. Arthur Leggett’s funeral took place on Saturday, 10 May 2025, and on behalf of the Greek State, Ms. Georgopoulou laid a wreath.
The following is the message from the Greek Prime Minister:
“Today, Greece bows its head in honour and gratitude as we bid farewell to the last surviving veteran of the Battle of Crete. On behalf of the Government of the Hellenic Republic and the Greek people, we extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences on the passing of Arthur Leslie Leggett OAM.
He was Western Australia’s last and oldest Battle of Crete veteran, and a former prisoner of war. Arthur’s life was a shining example of resilience, courage, and service.
His passing marks the end of an era: a chapter of living history closes—a chapter written in courage, sacrifice, and the unbreakable will of those who fought for freedom in one of the most heroic moments of World War II.
The Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign are significant moments in history for Australians, especially Greek Australians. Their legacy will continue to inspire generations of Greeks and Australians.
Arthur showed great courage and bravery during the Battle of Crete in 1941 and the darkest days of the Second World War. At just 22 years old, he was captured and taken to Germany, where he spent four years in a prisoner of war camp. He survived a brutal 800-kilometre march through mountainous terrain, without food or water, as German forces tried to move the POWs ahead of the Allies.
Arthur’s strength and endurance left us in awe. His lifelong dedication to honouring the sacrifices of his fellow veterans has made a lasting impact on our shared history.
The Battle of Crete did not end with the Allied evacuation of the island in 1941. The Cretan Resistance fought on until the German surrender in 1945. The Battle of Crete was and still is a testament to the bravery of a people who refused to surrender. The people of Crete paid an appalling price for their defiance, which has never been forgotten. They fought with everything they had. Many risked their lives to shelter thousands of Allied and ANZAC troops left behind in the chaos of the evacuation.
These acts of bravery and compassion remain powerful symbols of the bond between the Greek and Australian peoples. The legacy of that friendship will endure long after the passing of Arthur Leggett and his fellow veterans. Their memory lives on in our history and in the hearts of their families and the Cretans who stood by them.
For me, this farewell carries a personal weight: the story of the Battle of Crete is also the story of my own family. My father, Konstantinos Mitsotakis, was born in 1918, like Arthur. He was among those who lived through those dark days on his native soil, a young man shaped forever by the sights and sounds of resistance and loss. He was imprisoned and condemned to death twice. Like so many Cretans of his generation, he carried the memory of that battle not only in his words, but in his convictions and his service to our country.
For the ANZACs’ sacrifice at the Battle of Crete, the Government and the people of Greece will always be grateful.
Today, we honour Arthur’s legacy and the legacy of those who fought alongside him. They will live forever in the heart of our nation.
May he rest in peace, knowing his lifelong service will always stand as a beacon of courage and commitment. To the last veteran, we offer not only our deepest respect but also our solemn promise: That we will remember.
Lest we forget.”
