Xenophon Castrisos: The soldier photographed with The Greek Herald during WWII

·

Xenophon Castrisos’ life was brought to light many years ago when the State Library of Queensland released an iconic image of him from their archive.

In the image, the Greek Australian, who was an aerial photographer with the Royal Australian Air Force at the time, is shirtless, wearing a soldier’s helmet and intently reading The Greek Herald on the battlefield during WWII. Back then, the newspaper was known as The Hellenic Herald. 

Photo www.ww2wrecks.com

After seeing this image, The Greek Herald did some investigating and managed to contact Harry Notaras, a relative of Xenophon who shared a few stories from his life.

“Xenophon’s mother was my grandfather Spyro Castrisos’ first cousin,” Harry explains to The Greek Herald, while recalling many past encounters with Xenophon.

 â€śI met him several times as a young boy and he was just so dignified and polished.”

The 10 year old Xenophon, Photo www.ww2wrecks.com

According to Harry’s mother, Xenophon was an extremely refined, well-educated and worldly man with impeccable manners.

Information from the State Library of Queensland reveal that Xenophon’s full name was Xenophon Haralambous Castrisos and he was born in Lourenco Marques (now Maputo), Mozambique on January 1, 1912.

He was the son of Maria Castrissios, née Freeleagus, nephew of Christy Freeleagus, the Greek Consul for Brisbane, and grandson of Kosma Anthony Freeleagus of Kythera.

A photo taken by Xenophon Castrisos. Photo www.ww2wrecks.com

Xenophon was naturalised on September 26, 1941. He enlisted with the Royal Australian Air Force on December 31, 1941 in Brisbane and served as a leading aircraftman in the 12th squadron. He was discharged on December 21, 1945.

“Xenophon served as a reconnaissance photographer and had also taken aerial photographs of early Canberra,” Harry says, while explaining that he has a photograph taken by Xenophon hanging on his office wall.

Photo: Courier_Mail – 2 July 1941

“He also corresponded with Gough Whitlam and had once shown us a letter from him. For simplicity he sometimes adopted the moniker Rex Castles.”

Xenophon died on November 2, 2000. According to Harry, his wake “was held at the home of Lady Rene George (née Freeleagus), the wife of Sir Arthur George.”

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

Democracy on the big screen: Youth shine at the 13th Greek Student Film Festival

13th Greek Student Film Festival - staged within Sydney's 30th Greek Film Festival - filled the cinema with laughter and plenty of Greek.

Panayiota Dimopoulos’ OXI Day artwork takes pride of place on The Greek Herald cover

Panayiota Dimopoulos from Oakleigh Grammar designed The Greek Herald’s OXI Day cover, capturing the shared history of Greece and Australia.

Greek and Cypriot leaders honour OXI Day with messages to Australia’s Greek diaspora

Greek and Cypriot politicians and diplomats have issued messages to Australia’s Greek diaspora ahead of the OXI Day celebrations.

Greek Film Festival wraps 30th year with a triumphant Sydney finale

The curtain fell on the 30th Greek Film Festival in Sydney on Sunday night with a sold-out screening of Athens Midnight Radio.

Pan Macedonian Federation of SA launches the 44th Dimitria Greek Festival

On Friday, October 24, the Pan Macedonian Federation of South Australia officially launched the 44th Dimitria Greek Festival.

You May Also Like

Maria Sakkari storms past no.1 seed into Abu Dhabi semi-finals

Maria Sakkari is through to the semi finals of the Abu Dhabi WTA Women's Tennis Open after defeating no-1 seed, Sofia Kenin.

Tennis star Andriana Petrakis wins Young Achiever Woman of the Year scholarship

Rising tennis star Andriana Petrakis has been awarded The Advertiser Foundation’s $10,000 Young Achiever Woman of the Year Scholarship.

Yacht captain jailed, passengers charged ahead of arson trial over Hydra fire

The captain and first officer of a yacht have been jailed ahead of a trial on charges of arson over a forest fire on Hydra.