Lot 3883

Description

Australia Service Medal 1939-45. NX4148 E.Banfield. Impressed. Very fine.

Eric Banfield, born 31Oct1913 at Annandale, NSW; Enl.03Nov1939 at North Sydney, NSW; Disch.14Aug1945 as Private ex 2/1st Bn; POW.

During the Defence of Greece, the 2/1st and other units were ordered to defend the airstrip at Rethymnon/Retimco and after fierce fighting and being cut off from supply lines, the force was out of supplies and ammunition. At the end of May 1941 Lt Col Campbell, the Commanding Officer, made the decision to surrender and about 450 men were marched into German POW camps for the next four years. Unfortunately for the citizens of the Cretan city of Rythymnon who had been helping the allies with food, the Germans selected 30 men and boys, made them dig their own graves and then shot them.

With research.