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, can be seen shirtless, wearing a soldier’s helmet and intently reading The Greek Herald, then known as The Hellenic Herald, on a battlefield during WWII.
Of course, the photo has struck a cord with us this OXI Day so we just had to share his story.
According to the State Library of Queensland, Xenophon Castrisos (Castles), who’s full name was Xenophon Haralambous Castrisos, was born in Lourenco Marques (now Maputo), Mozambique on January 1, 1912.
He was the son of Maria Castrissios, nee Freeleagus, nephew of Christy Freeleagus, the Greek Consul for Brisbane, and grandson of Kosma Anthony Freeleagus of Kythera.
Castrisos 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 Castrisos died on November 2, 2000.
