AAC Cadets visit Greece on Armistice Tour

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

A contingent of Australian Army Cadets from Victoria has recently returned from an Armistice Tour of Greece.

The nine cadets and three Adult Cadet Staff (ACS) were from 30 Sunshine Army Cadet Unit (Victoria) and were assisted financially by local supporters including the Hellenic Returned Services League Sub Branch of South Melbourne.

During the tour, the Sunshine Army Cadets visited a number of important sites relevant to World Wars I and II.

They also represented Australia by participating in parades at the memorials honouring Australians, Greeks and other allies who participated in conflicts near or in Greece against the Axis Forces.

Officer Commanding 30 ACU, Captain (AAC) John Luca, described his cadets as most surprised by how welcoming the Greek Defence Force personnel were with them and the respect that the local community had for their attendance at these historic events, so far from home.

Highlights of the tour included:

• Meeting Greek Generals & paying respects at the Portianou Commonwealth Cemetery and Moudros Commonwealth Cemetery.
• Marching in the street parade and meeting the Australian, Canadian & New Zealand Ambassadors and their Defence Attaches.
• Opening of the Exhibition of the Old Port of Myrina and the World War I – the Armistice of Moudros with air power display.
• Morning tea with the Australian Ambassador.
• Laying wreaths at the Athens’ War Museum

Captain (AAC) Luca said it was important the next generation got to see our important military history in the wider world and to be able to express gratitude for the service of our forebears.

He has also found the unit command team put in an exceptional level of effort to pull off this huge logistical task of mounting the trip and thanked the Hellenic Returned Services League Sub Branch of South Melbourne for providing the much of the funding needed to make the tour possible.

Caption: 30 ACU march through the streets conducting an ‘eyes right’ to pay compliments to the Mayor.

Caption: Paying respects at a Commonwealth Cemetery. Captain Tim Ferns RN tells the cadets of Lieutenant Lester, Royal Marines, at his gravesite.