Deirdre Bean – Tich Carroll’s Escape From Crete, 1941

DEIRDRE BEAN

Tich Carroll’s escape from Crete 1941

Oil on birch board

30 x30 cm

It is 85 years since the Australian ‘Lustre Force’ campaign in Greece and Crete. Last year, I retraced their footsteps with a group of Australian artists and war historian, Brad Manera. He told stories of the Australian troops’ courage, loyalty and comradeship, love of country and respect – indeed, the words of the Gallipoli club creed in its truest meaning.

Chased by the German offensive to the southern shore of Crete, thousands of Australian and allied soldiers were stranded on the beach at Skafia when the last Royal Navy rescue ship departed under German assault. Some 600 of the 5000 soldiers left behind found their way to Egypt where they rejoined their units. Those remaining were taken prisoners of war or died in desperate circumstances.

Tich Carroll 2/11^th Battalion was one of the first to make his escape from Skafia by boat across the Libyan Sea in a desperate, hazardous journey. Ashore, he was found wandering in the desert by the Maltese artillery who secured his rescue. The words of the Maltese military hat badge translate to Custodian of Military Prowess, qualities for which our Tich Carroll must have been extremely grateful.