Young ears open to veteran’s war story
BILL Turner, a 12-year-old student at The Toowoomba Anglican College and Preparatory School, recently sat down with Sidney Harold Turvey, a 96-year-old veteran of the Second World War who resides at RSL Westhaven Nursing Home in Harristown.
Bill spoke with Mr Turvey about the years preceding being called up in 1941 and his eagerness to “do his bit”; his budding romance with a young Elma Clark and 10 precious minutes he had to say goodbye before departing for division headquarters; and his recollections of combat.
The intervening 60 years have not dimmed Mr Turvey’s memories.
He still remembers how cinnamon first tasted when his sweetheart made him doughnuts and the yellow tinge anti-malarial medication left on his skin.
Bill has captured Mr Turvey’s story beautifully.
For example, he writes: “Sid and Elma tied the knot at Nambour on August 15, 1945 not immediately realising that it was VP Day. The local sawmill sounded its whistle as peace was declared in the Pacific.”
To mark Remembrance Day, The Chronicle has published Bill’s full story online. You can read it at thechronicle.com.au
“It’s important to think of Remembrance Day as a dedication, not a celebration,” Mr Turvey says.
“What I did wasn’t any different to thousands of other soldiers – you just did what you had to do and prayed you’d make it back to see your loved ones.
“I was lucky enough to have that chance.”