This is the Souda Bay War Cemetery, where five Canadian soldiers of the Second World War are interred. Three died defending Crete in 1942, and two others during nearby air operations, in 1944.
My family and I were honoured to have been able to visit their graves today, Remembrance Day. November 11, 2014.
These are the young men we remember today, on behalf of all Canadians.
- Warrant Officer William Walter Duncan, RCAF, 162 (RAF) Squadron – age 24
William Walter Duncan was the son of Harry and Hattie Duncan and the husband of Lucy Irene Duncan of Shell Lake, Saskatchewan
Section E, Row 13
- Flying Officer Edwin David Fleishman, RCAF, 37 (RAF) Squadron – age 21
- Pilot Officer Joseph Alexander Goyer, RCAF, 24th (RAF) Squadron
On 3rd February the squadron was deeply depressed when anti-aircraft fire over Suda Bay in Crete hit Lt-Col Robb’s aircraft aft of the bomb bay and blew the complete tail section off, sending the aircraft spinning down out of control. The squadron feared the worst, but Lt-Col Robb and his co-pilot, Lt R.K. Townsend, in fact survived and were prisoners of war in hospital in Athens before being moved to Germany. Capt N.M. Watermeyer, Lts N.C. Scott-Winlow and A. Nelson, and P/O J.A. Goyer, RCAF, were killed.
Section D, Row 20
- Warrant Officer Lawrence Edgar Mathews, RCAF, 37 (RAF) Squadron – age 24
Son of Lemuel Bertus and Mary Elizabeth Mathews, of Trail, British Columbia.
Section C, Row 16
- Flying Sergeant William Jeremiah Porritt, RCAF, 227 (RAF) Squadron – age 20
Son of William Joseph and Aida Edith Porritt, of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal in 1942:
As an air gunner Flight Sergeant Porritt has displayed great skill and coolness in combat. During a daylight attack on the German battle cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau his aircraft was attacked by four Messerschmitt 109s. Using his guns most effectively, Flight Sergeant Porritt shot down one of the attackers in flames, probably destroyed another of them and warded off the remaining two until fighter assistance arrived. In the encounter Flight Sergeant Porritt was wounded in the face and arms. One morning in May 1942, whilst returning from an operation over Germany he engaged a Messerschmitt 109 from close range. Following a well directed burst of fire the enemy aircraft was observed to plunge vertically towards the ground where a few seconds later it apparently burst into flames. On both these occasions this airman undoubtedly saved his aircraft from destruction.
Section C, Row 16
Today, we remembered these five young men by laying our poppies at their graves. Today, they were not alone.