Major Richard Turton was an officer of the 40th Regiment stationed at Sydney.
The new settlement was intended to be the most severe settlement, where the worst convicts would be sent, without hope of escape and offering, in Governor Darling's view, "the extremest punishment short of death".
Most of the convicts were tradesmen to clear the regrowth and prepare buildings.
The convicts worked twelve-hour days, and the rations of salt meat and maize-meal sound unappetising, but there are no reports of harsh treatment of this working party.
In March 1826, Turton was promoted to major, replaced by Captain Vance Young Donaldson of the 57th Regiment, and returned to Sydney.