Bunbury man, Norm Eaton, one of the last surviving WA veterans who fought in the Greek and Crete campaigns in World War II, died last Saturday, the Bunbury Mail reports.
The son of a school headmistress and a serviceman, the Goomalling-born veteran worked on farms before moving to Perth in the 1930s and enlisting to serve.
Mr Eaton and his brother Harry served with the 2/11th West Australian battalion in North Africa and Greece during World War II.
The veteran was a guest of honour of the Greek Orthodox Church at a service celebrating Easter.
More than 100 people who attended the service clapped enthusiastically as Bishop Elpidios presented the former 2/11th battalion soldier to the congregation and thanked him for his efforts during the war.
The Greek Community in WA had embraced Mr Eaton, and he was a regular attendee at events held by Greek Associations in the state.
In an interview with South Western Times, his nephew Kevin Eaton described the veteran as a man who loved to tell a story, was great at it, and had plenty to share.
“He always remembered things and he could tell a story, he could tell a story very, very well.
“The amazing thing was he never had to make them up, they were all fact and they were just from his life experiences,” Kevin Eaton said.
Mr Eaton was a POW and spent four years at prison camps throughout Europe.
After returning home, he joined the Bunbury RSL and after a five-year stint as president, was awarded a life membership.
With a post on Facebook, the Consulate of Greece in Perth pays tribute to the brave veteran.
“RIP Norm! Greece will always remember you and be grateful to you,” reads the message.
