Former Soldier Back From Visit To Greece

Press, Volume C, Issue 29526, 30 May 1961, Page 10

Former Soldier Back From Visit To Greece

The immense wealth Greece was getting by tourism impressed Mr A. F. McGregor, of Christchurch, who was a member of the party of New Zealanders who went to Greece for' the unveiling of the British Commonwealth war memorial. He said yesterday that Athens was getting 1000 tourists a day, and it was hoped to increase the number to 500.000 a year. "They haven't the tourist attractions we have to offer, though they have history on their side. ■ But they make the most of their advantages,” said Mr McGregor. "Athens is the busiest international airport. On our trip we never went through an international airport with better amenities than the Christchurch one. We travelled nearly 25.000 miles by Hastings aircraft.” The unveiling of the memorial was an unforgettable ceremony, colourful and spectacular. Most conspicuous were the peaked hats and bright red puggarees of the New Zealanders in the guard of honour, said Mr McGregor. The New Zealand Returned Services’ Association delegation was seated next to the relatives of British servicemen. At the end of the ceremony everyone was asked to stay seated and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Greek Royal Family spoke to every individual next-of-kin. One of the highlights of the visit was the meeting with Lord Freyberg. Mr McGregor was one of those who went to Crete for five days. “We met many old acquaintances from war days and were guests at a mayoral banquet at Canea. We visited all the battlefields,” he said. “While we were in Crete I met a German who had been a fighter pilot and was shot down in the area held by my unit. He is Peter Weixler, now an industrial adviser in Munich. He served two years in a concentration camp for protecting Cretans from the firing squad. Today he is accepted

by the Cretans. I never realised until this trip how many Cretans were executed for helping escaped New Zealanders. “The Cretans are a friendly and simple people. Most of them retain full memories of New Zealanders. Probably the most admired and respected name of a New Zealander in Crete is that of Dudley Perkins, a Christchurch man. He was a partisan in Crete and was killed in the later stages,” said Mr McGregor. The men visited the war graves cemetery at Suda Bay and considered it would be the equal of that at Athens when it was completed. They also visited the war graves at Tobruk. Knightsbridge, and Singapore. All were well cared for and were a credit to the War Graves Commission. Probably some of the New Zealand cemeteries could take a lesson from them, he said. Mr McGregor said the accepted currency in Greece was the British gold sovereign. He was told that all real estate transactions were done in sovereigns.