Yesterday it was announced that Battle of Crete veteran Norman “Norm“ William Maddock OAM passed away peacefully at the age of 97.
Norman was part of a special military division in the Australian Imperial Forces, who are particularly noted for their service and sacrifice on the Island of Crete in 1941.
Norm was involved in a series of actions aimed at delaying the German advance, as well as in rearguard positions that enabled the successful withdrawal of thousands of allied troops.
Norm managed to reach the port of Kalamata in the southern Peloponnese and was evacuated on the Costa Rica. He fought in Georgioupolis, Chania and the Battle of 42nd Street. Norm was captured in Crete but escaped and reached the North African coast by sea.
In 2007 Norm was awarded the medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for ‘service to the Victorian tramways’, particularly through the Malvern Tramways Museum and as a union official.
Norm has been honoured by prestigious Greek military officials, including the Governor of Crete Mr. Stavros Arnaoutakis in 2010 and the Head of the Hellenic Defence Forces Mr. Konstantinos Floros in 2016.
Norman Maddock was the last surviving Victorian veteran, yet is always remembered for being present at commemorative events for the Battle of Crete in Melbourne every year.
