Turner, Richard Sydney MM (Sergeant, b:? - d.1944)

Collection relating to NX3048 Sergeant Richard S Turner, MM, Australian Service Corps, World War Two. Collection consists of three Greek identity cards; recommendation for the Military Medal; report on Turner regarding his time as a POW and escape and subsequent time in Greece; two declarations by interpreters to the military mission in Greece; statement re the surrender of 3rd Artillery Regiment, Italian Forces; Government pass to two Greeks; note re safe arrival of wireless operator; note re the organisation of labour to lay a road; note re preparations for the transit of the RSR; note re tasks to do; list of expenditure; letter dated 31 October 1944 re staff movement.

Turner was a member of the 6th Australian Division Supply Column, Army Service Corps. He was among troops left behind on Greece following the British evacuation in 1941. He was captured with other Australians and imprisoned by the Germans. Between Lamia and Levadhia he escaped from a train taking the prisoners to Germany. Turner was helped by a Greek names John Kalinkas who sheltered him and probably saved his life. He subsequently joined the Greek resistance fighters while working for the British underground forces. On 17 December 1944 while on his way to the airport near Athens for departure to Australia, Turner was killed by insurgent Greek forces.