Australian Groups

Lot 1540    SESSION 6 (9.30AM TUESDAY 31ST AUGUST)    Australian Groups

Estimate $500
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $460

GROUP OF FIVE: 1939-45 Star;Africa Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. First three medals unnamed as issued, 23056. A.F.Turnbull. on last two medals. The named medals impressed. Display mounted, very fine.

Together with a copy of the book titled 'Scrap-Iron Flotilla' by John F.Moyes, Sub-Lieutenant, R.A.N.V.R., 1944, in which the name of A.F.Turnbull is listed on p218 as he served on board some of the ships of the 'Flotilla' during the world war II period covered in the book.

Arthur Frank Turnbull, labourer, born 12Jun1918 at Paddington, Sydney, NSW; Enl.14Apr1939 for 12 year engagement as Stoker II; Qualified A.G. 07Jun1939; Passed E.T.1 21Nov1939; Qualified a/Ld Stoker 21Nov1939; served at various postings including Waterhen, Stuart, Perth, Kuttabul, Australia.

Stoker Arthur Frank Turnbull was posted to HMAS Waterhen on 12 October 1939 patrolling in the Mediterranean and evacuating Allied Forces from Greece. Waterhen was sunk by an enemy air attack on 30June 1941, becoming the first Australian ship sunk in World War II. He was then transferred to HMAS Stuart and fought in the Battle of Matapan and participated in the evacuation of Greece and Crete. After additional training in 1942 he was posted to the battlecruiser, HMAS Australia on 15 December 1942 serving with it until 6 July 1943. Constant air attacks on the ships in which he served took a toll on Arthur Turnbull's mental health and a medical report dated 26 July 1943 stated that he was in an 'Acute Depressive State' and was approved to be medically discharged 'P.U.N.S.' (Physically Unfit for Naval Service) on 23 September 1943 while he was in Callan Park Mental Hospital. Arthur Frank Turnbull lived in various locations over the next 50 years and died in 1994 at Port Macquarie, NSW.

With research including a copy of Service File.