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War Memorial
Australia

Staff Sergeant Sidney Turner (1914–1993)

Staff Sergeant Sidney Turner was born on 19 June 1914 at Payneham, South Australia, the son of William Turner and Selina Scattergood, Yorkshire-born migrants who had settled in Adelaide after their marriage in 1912. He grew up in the Payneham district and remained closely associated with the community throughout his life.

On 5 March 1941, with Australia fully committed to the Second World War, Sidney enlisted in the Australian Military Forces (AMF) at Kensington, South Australia. Serving under Service Number S11673, he was employed as a labourer in civilian life and was a member of the Congregational Church. Initially joining the 13th Field Regiment, he was later promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. His military service eventually totalled 2,219 days, including 1,020 days on active service outside Australia.

While serving during the war, Sidney married Eileen Florence Goode at All Souls Church, St Peters, on 18 December 1941. Their marriage was a happy but tragically brief one. Eileen, the adored youngest daughter of the late Thomas and Johanne Marie Elizabeth Goode, died in Adelaide on 16 July 1944, aged just 30 years. Her newspaper death notice described her as the "beloved wife of Sidney Turner," while Sidney's military record was later amended with the heartbreaking notation "wife deceased 16.7.44."

During the war, Sidney served extensively in the South West Pacific Area, including campaigns in New Guinea. His service record documents postings through Milne Bay, Lae, Finschhafen, Aitape, Madang, and Rabaul, supporting the Allied advance against Japanese forces. He remained on active duty until returning to Australia in October 1945 before receiving his discharge on 18 October 1946.

His service was later recognised by inclusion on both the Payneham RSL Honour Board and the Payneham RSL World War II Honour Roll, honouring his contribution to Australia's wartime effort.

Following the war, Sidney returned to civilian life in the Payneham district. He continued to reside at 63 Luhrs Road, Payneham South, an address that appears both in his wartime records and later in his death registration. Although he lived for almost half a century after Eileen's death, there is no evidence that he remarried. When he died on 4 March 1993, aged 78, at Daw House Hospice, Daw Park, his death registration still recorded Eileen Florence Goode as his spouse, suggesting she remained the great love of his life. He was cremated at Enfield Crematorium on 9 March 1993, with his ashes collected by his family.

Sidney's life tells a quietly moving story of duty, sacrifice and enduring devotion. A young South Australian who answered his country's call during wartime, he survived years of overseas service only to lose his wife while still in uniform. He carried on with characteristic resilience, serving honourably before returning home to live out the remainder of his life in the community where he had been born.

Sources

South Australian Birth Registration: 939/180 – Sidney Turner, born 19 June 1914, Payneham.
National Archives of Australia: B884, S11673 – Australian Military Forces service record, enlistment, promotions, overseas service, next-of-kin amendments and discharge.
South Australian Marriage Registration: 433/6250 – Marriage to Eileen Florence Goode, 18 December 1941.
The Advertiser (Adelaide), 17 July 1944 – Death notice for Eileen Florence Turner.
Payneham RSL Honour Board.
Payneham RSL World War II Honour Roll.
South Australian Death Registration – Sidney Turner, died 4 March 1993.
Enfield Crematorium Register – Cremated 9 March 1993; ashes collected.

Biography by Trevor Pyatt 26/07/2026