Boot Knife and scabbard : Sergeant J W Turnock, 2/24 Battalion

Boot knife made from a Bayonet. The blade has a small crown over a 'Z' stamped under the crossguard. The original crossguard has been replaced with a steel crossguard that is wider than the original. The top has been folded slightly towards the blade and has a small hole drilled through it and the bottom has been folded slightly towards the handle. The original handle has been replaced with another wooden handle. Three holes have been drilled through the wood and the tang of the knife, and a thin leather strap has been threaded through and wrapped around the handle to secure it to the knife. The original end of the bayonet has been replaced with a round aluminium pommel. The scabbard is made from two halves of wood, possibly taken from a Japanese bayonet or sword scabbard. The joins have been bonded and it has been bound with copper wire at the top, in the middle and at the lower end to give support to the joins in the wood. At the bottom of the scabbard, a hole has been drilled through and a leather strap threaded through to assist in keeping the wood of the scabbard together.

Associated with the service of WX26874 Sergeant James 'Jim' William Turnock who captured this knife during the assault on the powerstation on Tarakan island in 1945. The knife was made from a bayonet, mostly likely a Netherlands made M1895 pattern Cavalry bayonet, presumably souvenired by the Japanese during their advance through the Netherlands East Indies in 1941-1942. Turnock was born on 8 April 1918 in Northam, WA. He enlisted on 19 August 1940 in Melville, WA joining 44 Battalion CMF, with the service number W10706. Turnock served part time until 19 October 1941 when he was called up for full time service with 44 Battalion. He was promoted to lance corporal on 5 January 1942. In July, he transferred to the AIF and was given the number WX26874 although he remained with 44 Battalion. Turnock was promoted acting corporal 30 November before being sent on a promotion course on 4 December. He rejoined his unit on 6 January 1943, after successfully completing his course and on 27 May was promoted to corporal. On 7 December, Turnock was posted as an instructor to 2 Division Amphibious Operations Training Centre as an instructor. He rejoined his unit on 26 December. On 13 February 1944, Turnock was sent to Queensland to the 1 Australian Army Regular Training School's Junior Leader wing to undertake the junior leaders' course. He was also placed on the unattached list at this time. He qualified on 20 May and on 9 July was transferred to the 2/24th Battalion, AIF. He joined the battalion in a period of refitting after long and distinguished service in the Middle East and New Guinea. The Battalion trained extensively in the Atherton Tablelands before embarking for Morotai, to take part in the landings on Borneo. Turnock landed on Tarakan with the 2/24 Battalion on 1 May 1945. As the reserve battalion supporting the 2/23 and 2/48 Battalions, 2/24 Battalion was involved in the fighting to take the pumping house and power station. Turnock saw further action when his unit was involved in the heavy fighting to take the Tarakan airfield. He fought along with his unit in the hills and ridges behind the town having to contend with booby traps and suicide squads along the way. The battalion took the final objective, Hill 90 on 20 June, all but ending the fighting on Tarakan. The battalion then moved into mopping up operations in the northern parts of the island. Turnock was promoted to sergeant on 4 August. Turnock embarked from Tarakan to return to Australia on 19 October 1945, arriving on 30 October in Brisbane. He returned to Western Australia and rejoined 44 Battalion before being discharged 23 November 1945.