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.”

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

PRONIA responds to allegations by President of Victoria’s Greek Elderly Federation

PRONIA has responded to serious allegations made by John Kostoulias, President of the Federation of Greek Elderly Citizen Clubs in Victoria

The Cyprus War of Liberation: Honouring the sacrifice for a united and free island

It was to be a bloody cruel war, as the dwindling might of a fading empire became desperate to retain its global status.

Greek Rock to take over Sydney with rousing concert

The realm of Greek Rock is set to take centre stage in Sydney as IHO NYX prepares to thrill with a lively concert.

‘Speak Greek in March’ campaign sees GCM students visit Melbourne Zoo

The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) City’s school unit successfully organised an educational excursion to the Melbourne Zoo.

Teen star Sam Konstas earns first Cricket Australia contract

Sam Konstas, the 19-year-old opener from New South Wales, has been awarded his first Cricket Australia contract for the 2025–26 season.

You May Also Like

New Consul General of Greece in Sydney visits Archbishop Makarios of Australia

Archbishop Makarios of Australia received the new Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Yannis Mallikourtis, at the Archdiocese in Sydney.

Lord and Master: Archbishop Makarios and the Greek communities of Australia

An opinion piece with the title: Lord and Master: Archbishop Makarios and the Greek communities of Australia.

Tributes flow for John Iordanis killed in multi-car crash on SA freeway

Tributes are flowing today for John Iordanis after he was killed in a multi-car crash along the Southern Expressway in South Australia.