Social member Mr Steve Kyritsis OAM, has written a new book to acknowledge the Greek-Australian men and women who served in the Kokoda-New Guinea campaign in World War II called ‘Greek Australians in the Australian Armed Forces Kokoda – New Guinea World War II’.
The focus of this book is the contribution of over 300 Greek Australians who served their country and were a part of an important and decisive event in Australia’s history known as the ‘Battle for Australia’. This book records the stories of the men involved in the battles and the names of those killed and wounded in action.
The book, which commemoratedsthe 75th anniversary of the campaign, was launched in 2017 at Queens Hall, Parliament House in the presence of special guest of honour, James ‘Jim’ Scott (Sikiotis), aged ninety-one, who was invited to attend as one of the three oldest surviving Greek Australian war veterans of this campaign. Born in Melbourne in February 1926, Jim, the eldest son of Vasili and Elpiniki Sikiotis served as a Leading Aircraftman, 111 Air Sea Rescue Flight 1944-6 and saw active service over New Guinea.
Other Greek Australians of Ithacan descent who served in the Kokoda-New Guinea campaign included in this book are:
- Private Constantine Raftopoulos -Unit: 2 Australian Corps HQ
- Sergeant Anthony (Tony) Rafty (Raftopoulos) – Unit: LHQ MIL HIst SECT
- Leading Aircraftman Andrew Lucas – Unit: 2 Transport and Movement - Andrew later
- married Jim Scott’s sister, Tase Lucas.
- Leading Aircraftsman James Scott – Unit: 111 Air Sea Rescue Flight
- Sub-Lieutenant James Paizis – HMAS Rushcutter
- Leading Aircraftman Alex Karanges – Unit: Station Headquarters
- Bombadier Andrew (Andy) Owen Paxino – Unit 2/14 Field Regiment
- Private George Paxino – Unit: Army Service Corps
- Staff Sergeant Harold James Paxino – Unit: 24 Infantry Battalion
- Sergeant Roy Dennis Paxino – Unit: Australian Wireless Telegraphy Section
- Sergeant Mervyn Stas Paxino – Unit: Australian & N.G. Administrative Unit
To order a copy, contact Steve Kyritsis:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or
Tel (03) 9859 3403
Mobile 0418 571 800
Profits from the sale of this book will be donated to the Hellenic RSL Sub-Branch and to the Australian Hellenic Memorial Foundation.