Two war veterans who left for Crete today feeling let down by the Government are in for a surprise when they land.
Veterans' Affairs had denied their application for funding to go to 75th anniversary of the Battle of Crete, so they paid their own way.
Bill Bristow and Roy Hammond are off on what they expect to be their last big trip.
"It's the last we'll be going to," says Mr Bristow. "We're 97 now and I think the next one I'll be 100, so if I'm still ticking I'll go."
They are among the four Kiwis who fought in the Battle of Crete who are still alive, and they're returning for the 75th anniversary.
But their request for financial assistance for the trip was turned down by the Veterans' Affairs.
"I did it earlier on and they told me I'd had my assistance earlier on," says Mr Bristow.
But Veterans' Affiars has a clear policy. It can only fund a maximum of $2000 for commemorative travel. So for Mr Bristow and Mr Hammond, that $2000 was used when they returned to Crete in 2011 for the 70th anniversary.
The Battle of Crete was a life-changing experience for Mr Bristow and Mr Hammond. Mr Bristow was taken prisoner, before escaping and being smuggled to Greece. Mr Hammond was a truck driver, who was pulled into the fighting and wounded by machine gun fire.
The pair still see Crete as a second home.
"It's like going home for us," says Mr Hammond. "Once we land there we become long-lost friends to Cretans."
But they may get some help after all. Late this afternoon, Veterans' Affairs Minister Craig Foss told Newshub he's written to the pair offering to cover some of their costs. That letter will be delivered by Defence Force staff when they land in Crete.
Newshub.
