Every now and then a story comes along that captures the imagination and drives a person to become more involved. Take our Member Jess Welfare for example.
Earlier in 2022 Jess undertook the Cape to Cape walk in aid of Legacy. It was during that walk that she visited St John the Theologian Chapel at Prevelly near Margaret River, built by Geoff Edwards OAM to honour those people of Crete who supported Allied troops in WWll during the Battle of Crete, and his Battalion, the 2nd/ 11 th.
More recently Jess travelled to El Alamein in Egypt and then Crete and placed Poppies and Australian mementos on the graves of fallen Australians and New Zealanders. Our Website under About Us / Galleries 2022 has photos from Jess’s visit to these places that are etched in Australia’s military history. She visited Crete’s Preveli Chapel, and was immediately taken by the significant contribution that Geoff Edwards made to honour the people of Crete, and the strong connection between Prevelly in our South West and on Crete.
On Jess’s return she made contact with Marilyn Sadleir (nee Edwards), the daughter of Geoff Edwards. An exchange of stories and Jess’s photos followed, and the photos made their way, not only on the website for a Memorial planned for Kings Park, but also to the Monks of the Prevelli Chapel on Crete.
Marilyn, Geoff’s daughter, attended our 2022 Remembrance Day Service with Jess.
Geoff Edwards’ book “The Road to Prevelly” is currently being reprinted, and it is anticipated that it will be available for $24.99 prior to Christmas. Jess can be contacted to express interest in obtaining a copy of this book. Jess assures that it is a great read, written by.an amazing man who gave back to the brave people who helped not only him, but the servicemen of Australia and New Zealand. Geoff’s legacy continues, in that
funds go back to maintaining the Chapel, as well as providing university scholarships to students on Crete.
Jess’s contact details are:
Mobile: 0408 930 918
Email: jessamy49@gmail.com
To read more about this fascinating story, copy these links over to your search engine, or just click on them.
https://battleofcrete.org.au/geoff-edwards-oam/
(This details Geoff Edwards’ story. Click on the Home Page for details of the proposed memorial.)
https://www.monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/conflict/ww2/display/61078-st-john-the-theologian-church
(Monument Australia website of Prevelly Chapel)