Patriotic spirit of Greek-Australian boy Hector Vasyli endures 102 years after tragic death

·

On 9 June 1918, a young Greek Australian boy, Hector Vasyli, was fatally injured in a shocking accident.

The 11-year-old was among a crowd of people welcoming sick and injured soldiers en route to a military hospital at Kangaroo Point, when a vehicle swerved into him near Brisbane’s Victoria Bridge to avoid ramming another car in the procession.

Hector was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment for a fractured skull but died before getting help.

Despite such a short life, Hector, a newspaper boy and dedicated altar boy, was well known amongst the Queensland community, particularly for his patriotism.

According to the State Library of Queensland’s senior research librarian, Christina Ealing-Godbold, Hector nearly reached saint status following the accident because of his actions before he was hit.

The site where Hector Vasyli is buried. Source: Grave Tales.

“Hector had a habit of collecting his pocket money and spending it on cigarettes, chocolates and flowers to give to the returning troops,” Ealing-Godbold told the ABC.

“We might look back and think cigarettes weren’t good for these injured soldiers, and chocolate was probably worse, but in those days it was just a sign of respect and knowing the luxuries they missed out on during the war.”

Ms Ealing-Godbold added that Hector’s parents ran the Queensland Oyster Palace in South Brisbane, only a short distance from Victoria Bridge, and consequently, Hector would have been used to dodging trams, horse-drawn buses and the occasional car.

“He had, on many occasions, stood on the bridge and thrown cigarettes and chocolates at previous returned soldiers’ processions. I think it’s probably just a very tragic accident he was at the spot he was at the time,” she said.

A memorial to Hector Vasyli can be found on Brisbane’s Victoria Bridge.

Symbol of Patriotism:

Every year on ANZAC Day, members of Brisbane’s Greek community still lay wreaths at a stone tablet commemorating Hector’s short life.

The memorial, fixed on an abutment at the southern end of the bridge, carries a likeness of the boy’s face cast in metal and an inscription that reads:

“During his brief sojourn on earth he devoted much of his time to patriotic work for Australian Soldiers during the Great European War. In his veins ran the heroic blood of Greece, and in the breast of a child he carried the heart of a man.”

greek film festival sydney new

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Dr Christos Theologos: ‘Dance keeps us bound to our roots, from Chios to Sydney’

As part of the Zeibekiko Festival Australia, respected folklorist Dr Christos Theologos will lead a series of lectures and workshops.

South Melbourne turns to supporters ahead of Australian Championship kick-off

The opening clash of the Australian Championship will be an event shaped by the voices of the fans themselves.

Low birth rates and ageing: The silent enemy of the Greek nation

From the late 1990s it had become clear to Greek demographers and social scientists that the number of births in Greece was falling.

Peta Trimis: The new star of Australian football with a Hellenic soul

At just 19 years old, Peta Trimis is already being hailed as one of the brightest young stars of Australian football.

A second chance at life: Angelo Alateras’ journey from mechanical heart to transplant hope

After years on life support, 80kgs lost, and 615 days of physio, Angelo finally received the gift of a new heart.

You May Also Like

Turkey issues new Navtex in Eastern Mediterranean for Oruc Reis vessel

Turkey has issued a new Navtex for the Oruc Reis vessel to carry out activities south of the island of Kastellorizo until October 20.

How to vote in the 2023 elections as a Greek abroad

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reiterated last Sunday that the next national election will take place in the spring, in April or May.

President Pavlopoulos sends annual Christmas message to Greek diaspora

Prokopis Pavlopoulos, the President of the Hellenic Republic, recently sent his official Christmas message to all Greeks abroad.