The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Passport photograph of Sergeant (Sgt) Richard Sydney Turner MM, 6th Division, Australian Army Service Corps. In June 1941 in Greece, Sgt Turner was taken Prisoner of War (POW) by the Germans and taken to a prison camp. He was put on board a train with other POWs, destined for Germany, but ordered to march when the train could go no further due to destroyed tracks. Sgt Turner and an unnamed companion lagged behind during the march and then escaped when the column took a short cut across a hairpin bend. Sgt Turner and his companion were fed and sheltered in a small Greek village, before spending autumn and winter of 1941 - 42 in the mountains of Thessaly, living in caves and at one point a hollow tree. Sgt Turner's companion was recaptured. Turner himself was suffering from malnutrition and malaria, but fortunately he met Ioannis Kallinikos who sheltered him for a year and a half. In 1943 Turner joined the Greek resistance (ELAS), becoming the leader of fifty Greek andartes, and coming into contact with Major (Maj) Dickinson, a British Liaison Officer, who signalled to Allied Headquarters in Cairo that Sgt Turner was alive and well. Sgt Turner joined Maj Dickinson's group which was later taken over by Maj Dillon, and was awarded the Military Medal for the resistance work he carried out in Greece. On Sunday 17 December 1944 he was scheduled to fly home to Australia and sat in the back of a truck, dangling his legs over the end, for the journey to the airport. He was killed by Greek communist insurgents who opened fire from a brewery as the truck passed through a shallow valley. He was buried in the Commonwealth War Cemetery at Kalamaki.
Paybook photograph of Sergeant (Sgt) Richard Sydney Turner MM, 6th Division, Australian Army Service Corps. In June 1941 in Greece, Sgt Turner was taken Prisoner of War (POW) by the Germans and taken
Africa Star. Unnamed as issued. NX3048 Sergeant Richard Sydney Turner was born in Sydney in 1916. He enlisted on 28 October 1939 and served with 6 Division Supply Column, Australian Army Service C
Italy Star. Unnamed as issued. NX3048 Sergeant Richard Sydney Turner was born in Sydney in 1916. He enlisted on 28 October 1939 and served with 6 Division Supply Column, Australian Army Service Co
Defence Medal. Impressed around edge with recipient's details. NX3048 Sergeant Richard Sydney Turner was born in Sydney in 1916. He enlisted on 28 October 1939 and served with 6 Division Supply Co
Australian Service Medal. Impressed around edge with recipient's details. NX3048 Sergeant Richard Sydney Turner was born in Sydney in 1916. He enlisted on 28 October 1939 and served with 6 Divisio
1939-45 Star. Unnamed as issued. NX3048 Sergeant Richard Sydney Turner was born in Sydney in 1916. He enlisted on 28 October 1939 and served with 6 Division Supply Column, Australian Army Service
