John Pendlebury: Archaeologist and War Hero

I've just finished reading Mary Chubb's (1903-2003) "Nefertiti Lived Here", and I feel compelled to write about her story. Chubb worked as an under secretary for the Egypt Exploration Society in the 1920's, and in 1930 she joined the Tell el-Amarna expedition, directed by John Devitt Stringfellow Pendlebury (1904-41). Pendlebury, though relatively young (aged 25) at the time, was also the director of the excavations at Knossos.

John Pendlebury

The narrative is compelling; through Chubb's story both archaeologists and non-archaeologists alike can understand the trials and tribulations of dig life, both good and bad: "sometimes frustrated, sometimes jubilant". The reader can relate to the members of the small team (Pendlebury and his wife Hilda, 'Hilary', 'Tommy' and 'Ralph') as they learn of their particular idiosyncrasies. I enjoyed the story immensely, and quickly reached the end. Chubb concludes with a short epilogue detailing what happened next. I won't give away the  rest of the ending for those who have not read the book, but it is the future of Pendlebury which should be particularly highlighted. 

During the Second World War, Pendlebury was sent to Crete with the status of Vice-Consul, but in reality he was to organize the Greek resistance to the impending Nazi invasion which happened in 1941. Pendlebury was well trusted all over Greece, and possessed knowledge of the varying Greek dialects of the villages scattered all over the island. He organized many efficient and successful guerrilla groups, but Chubb describes that he was unable to achieve his full potential due to a lack of resources. 

What happened next is harrowing. Chubb writes:

"On 21st May, 1941, the skyborne invasion of Crete, launched from the south of Greece, began. John left his office in Heraklion and, with one of his agents, set out to reach the guerrilla meeting point to the West of the town. They were cut off and surrounded by landing parachutists and John was badly wounded [by a shot from a Stuka]. He was carried to a roadside cottage, the home of another agent, whose wife and sister did what they could for him. German soldiers searched the cottage and took away his identity disc. From this the German officers knew very well who he was, and the next morning the soldiers came back with their orders. One witness told later of John's execution outside the cottage and of his proud bearing at this last scene" (P180).

Pendlebury was propped up against a wall, and shot by German soldiers in the head and chest. He was buried nearby, but was later reburied 1km outside the western gate of Heraklion in the cemetery at Souda Bay (Grave reference 10.E.13). So not only was Pendlebury one of the foremost archaeologists of his time, indeed the "first hero of modern archaeology", he died heroically trying to prevent his beloved Greece from German invasion. This is a little known story, and though it is a very sad and tragic one I would like to help make it as widely known as possible.