Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Joan was born in Burwood, Victoria, in 1925.

Joan’s father served in the First World War, her mother worked in a munitions factory, and her brother served in the Royal Australian Air Force. Joan says it was inevitable that she would enlist.

In November 1943, aged 18, Joan enlisted in the Australian Army Medical Women’s Service (AAMWS). In March 1944, after completing her recruit training, Joan was posted to Land Headquarters Depot Medical and Veterinary Stores in Melbourne, serving as a storekeeper. The depot distributed medical supplies to hospitals and camps.
Joan continued serving after the war. In November 1946, while still with the stores depot, she was reclassified as a stenographer. In March 1947, by then aged 21, Joan sailed for Japan to serve in the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF). She was posted to the 130th Australian General Hospital at Eta Jima, where she was a member of the hospital’s administrative staff.

Joan says she enjoyed an active social life in Japan and it was there that she met her future husband, Douglas ‘Doug’ Gibson. Doug was a sergeant in the Army’s Corps of Signals.
Joan sailed for home in April 1948 and was discharged from the AAMWS the next month. Joan says she enjoyed her time in Japan and made some great friends, two of whom became godparents to her children. After being discharged, Joan and Doug married and they went on to have two sons. Sadly, one of their sons has passed away and Doug died in 2014 after a ‘wonderful’ 65-year marriage. Joan is now blessed with grandchildren and great grandchildren.

When she was younger, Joan used to knit and garden. Now, she likes sewing and attending the local Legacy meetings and outings. She also enjoys socialising with the RSL Sub-Branch ladies.

Joan credits her longevity to keeping her mind active, having a positive attitude and socialising.

Joan was the youngest of three children of Thomas Neasham Turner (b1894 in Durham, England) and Helen Gray (b1898 in Durham, England). Thomas was Apprentice to a Market Gardener when he arrived in Melbourne, Victoria in 1913 on board the Port Lincoln. Thomas settled initially in Warbuton, Victoria where he was a Farmer. In 1920 he was a Carpenter in Melbourne when he married Helen.

Joan was a Clerk in Melbourne, Victoria when she enlisted in the ACMF in October 1943 (Private; Service No:VF398081). In November 1943 Joan transferred to 130 AGH (Private; Service No:VFX129315) and was Discharged on 11 December 1947. The next day, Joan was attached to 6th Z Echelon and embarked from Sydney NSW per the Merkin for Kure, Japan. Joan was Discharged in May 1948. Joan's father Thomas served in WWI (Private; Service No:3811) and WWII (Private; Service No:V363750). Brother Elsdon (Don) also served in WWII (Leading Aircraftman; Service No:18816)