The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
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 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.
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
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
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
Small red polished cotton Australian ensign with separately applied white cotton stars and an appliqued printed cotton Union Jack in the upper left canton. There is a fine mercerised cotton cord threa
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
Small escape compass with a brass body and glass top. Within is a 'floating' steel disc perforated with four evenly spaced holes. North is marked with a dotted line. This small escape compass was ca
Brass bodied compass painted overall gloss black with small areas of paint worn off from use, and exposing the brass. The body consists of the main lower part containing the graduated compass disc.
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
Luger P08 semi-automatic pistol. Toggle marked DWM and the breech top 1913 and the serial number. The grips are chequered wood and the back strap has a 'T' section slide for the detachable wooden shou
Luger P08 semi-automatic pistol firing pin. Toggle marked DWM and the breech top 1913 and the serial number. The grips are chequered wood and the back strap has a 'T' section slide for the detachable
Military Medal (Geo VI). 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
Pair of black leather British issue commando boots, without toe caps. The boots lace, with black leather laces, to mid-calf, which are secured by six pairs of eyelets and six pairs of steel hooks. The
Sheath Knife. Small knife with a polished steel blade and dark grey bakelite grips. The single edged blade has a curved, upturned tip., and has small serations along the back edge for 50mm forward of
Double sided, black printed silk escape map of Greece and the eastern Mediterranean. One side, marked 'S2', on a scale of 1:175,000, shows Greece and Crete in detail. The other side, marked 'S3', on a
Small printed red cotton Australian ensign with a separately applied printed Union Jack in the upper left canton. The fabric has been treated with dressing to make it stiff. NX3048 Sergeant Richard
Small printed red cotton Australian ensign with a separately applied printed Union Jack in the upper left canton. The fabric has been treated with dressing to make it stiff. NX3048 Sergeant Richard
Black leatherette wallet with a semi-circular opening containing a black leatherette covered 'board' with no markings. The 'board' is 201 by 142mm when open. The front of the wallet is stamped 'CHESS
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
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