At 101, George Turner is one of the only surviving veterans of the 39th battalion so all eyes were on him at a ceremony marking 80 years since the Kokoda campaign in Papua New Guinea.
Key points:
- The 80th anniversary of the Kokoda campaign has been commemorated on the Gold Coast
- Queensland’s only surviving veteran of the 39th battalion, George Turner, attended the ceremony with his family
- Governor-General David Hurley spoke of the importance of the campaign in Australia’s military history
“I got to 101—lucky wasn’t I?” Mr Turner said.
“I was only about 20 when I was up there.
“I was a truck driver… one of two truck drivers… the other one was sergeant by rank. He got killed [in] the first bombing raid. He was sleeping beside me about six feet away.”
On Monday, Mr Turner attended a commemoration service at the Gold Coast, that marked the second engagement of the campaign 80 years ago.
During that battle, the 39th battalion advanced to retake Kokoda, but retreated two days later.
Mr Turner attended the service with his sons and grandsons who have also had careers in the military.
“Many of the family have been in the military. We have five generations, four of them here,” said Ian Turner, Mr Turner’s son.
“There has always been a tradition of serving and to understand what that meant for the nation.
“It’s the whole battalion that Australia is recognizing more today than they ever did.”
military importance
Governor-General David Hurley emphasized the importance of Kokoda to Australia’s military history.
“That battalion stood between Australia and the Japanese during the Second World War,” he said.
About 600 Australian soldiers were killed and 1600 wounded.
“It’s good to remember history … we shouldn’t forget what we’ve been through and the cost that was paid to allow us to be as we are today,” he said.
“We’re reflecting on that sacrifice, that service and what it’s allowed us to do as a nation.”
Both flags flying
For Merv Wilkinson, the service was about remembering his father, warrant office John Dobell Wilkinson, who was a medic in the 39th battalion.
“Very brave and courageous soldier,” he said.
“He was a great man of great courage, integrity and service.”
Mr Wilkinson noted the Papua New Guinean flag flying at the ceremony.
“It’s absolutely crucial … that there’s a blend of not just the 39th but the Papua New Guinean soldiers as well,” he said.
“Being of mixed Australian-Papuan descent, I’m so pleased that both country’s flags are flying.”
Acting Consul-General of Papua New Guinea Jimmy Ovia said he was honored to be part of the 80th anniversary commemorations.
He spoke about the shared challenges of the Australian and Papua New Guinean soldiers.
“The carriers of Papua New Guinea played a very, very key role,” he said.
Mr Ovia said the treacherous mountain terrain was new for the Australian soldiers “so the carriers and those who knew the bush tracks helped guide the Australians” during the campaign.
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