From the AWM website: Arriving in Greece on 22 March, the 2/2nd was soon deployed north to resist the anticipated German invasion. It occupied positions at Veria on 7 April, but a succession of withdrawals by the Allies in Greece meant that the battalion did not meet the enemy in battle until 18 April - at Tempe (Pinios) Gorge. There, in a desperate fight, the 2/2nd blocked German movement through the gorge to permit the safe withdrawal of Allied forces further south. It held its ground until overwhelmed by vastly superior German forces. Some parties from the battalion later managed to rejoin the main withdrawal south, and were eventually evacuated by the Allied navies, while others made epic escapes through the Greek islands. A group of 189 members of the 2/2nd subsequently fought with the 16th Brigade Composite Battalion on Crete.
John was born at Lake Cargelligo, New South Wales on 8 Sep 1917. Post-war he was a labourer in Jerilderie, NSW. He died 12 Sep 1968 (Ancestry). He was 51.
His name appears on the 10029/GW Roll Call of Ian Brown's Stalag 18A website.
AWM Nominal Roll
John Turton (right). Aug 1943. (J Dowrick collection).
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