In late September 2009 I was humbled and saddened to see on TV the young soldiers who had been "Wounded" in Afghanistan and Iraq, sometimes losing both legs and an arm as well. So this site was put together to raise some cash for the Army Benevolent Fund which is dedicated to helping soldiers like those and their families. This is a very real cause - please donate.
In October 2009 I am going to Greece with a small group to follow "in the footsteps of heroes" tracing the route taken by a badly injured soldier in World War 2.
In May 1941 the Germans mounted a surprise airborne attack on Crete, which was held by the allies. In a week of bitter fighting the island was captured by the Germans and during the battle at Galatas a young New Zeland officer was badly injured fighting alongside the Welch Regiment. He was Lieutenant Sandy Thomas. The Germans flew him in an ambulance plane to Athens where he was operated on and his badly damaged leg was saved. After some months of convalescence he was moved to a POW camp at Thessaloniki. He soon escaped and spent over a year evading the Germans and, after spending some time being sheltered by the monks of Mount Athos, he stole a boat and sailed to freedom in Turkey.
Sandy Thomas went on to become a Major General in the British Army and was awarded the CB, DSO, MC and bar. He is alive and well in his 90's and living in Australia. His grandson Tyson is joining the party, and he is the same age as his grandfather was in the war.
We are leaving on 23rd October to follow the route taken by Sandy Thomas from Thessaloniki to Mount Athos, and in so doing we will celebrate his heroism and raise money for the Army Benevolent Fund. Please give generously.
