Alexander Buller Turner

Alexander Buller Turner
Born 22 May 1893
Reading, Berkshire, England
Died 1 October 1915 (aged 22)
Chocques, France
Buried Chocques Military Cemetery
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch  British Army
Years of service 1914–1915  †
Rank Second Lieutenant
Unit Royal Berkshire Regiment
Battles/wars First World War
Awards Victoria Cross
Relations Victor Buller Turner VC (brother)

Second Lieutenant Alexander Buller Turner VC (22 May 1893 – 1 October 1915) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC) during the First World War, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. His younger brother, Victor, was a recipient of the VC in the Second World War.

Early life and military career

Turner was born at home in Reading, Berkshire[1] on 22 May 1893 to Charles Turner, later a major in the Royal Berkshire Regiment, and his second wife Jane Elizabeth, only daughter of Admiral Sir Alexander Buller. He was educated at Parkside School, Surrey and Wellington College, Berkshire and commissioned into the Special Reserve of Officers, Royal Berkshire Regiment, 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, on 11 September 1914, five weeks after the outbreak of the First World War. He was subsequently transferred to the 1st Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment. The battalion, a Regular Army unit, part of the 6th Brigade of the 2nd Division, was serving in trenches of the Western Front.

He was 22 years old, and a second lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment (Princess Charlotte of Wales's), British Army, attached to 1st Battalion during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:

On 28 September 1915 at Fosse 8, near Vermelles, France, when the regimental bombers could make no headway, Second Lieutenant Turner volunteered to lead a new bombing attack. He made his way down the communication trench practically alone, throwing bombs incessantly with such dash and determination that he drove off the Germans about 150 yards without a check. His action enabled the reserves to advance with very little loss and subsequently covered the flank of his regiment in its retirement, thus probably averting the loss of some hundreds of men. Second Lieutenant Turner died three days later of the wounds received in this action.

He was shot in the abdomen at close range during the action for which he was awarded the VC. He was reported to have died at No. 1 Casualty Clearing Station, Chocques on 1 October and he was buried at the Military Cemetery Chocques.[2]

His brother was Lieutenant Colonel Victor Buller Turner VC and had a family connection with General Sir Redvers Turner VC.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment (Salisbury) Museum, Salisbury, Wiltshire.

The citation for his award, published in the London Gazette on 18 November 1915, reads as follows:

Second Lieutenant Alexander Buller Turner, 3rd Battalion (attached 1st Battalion), Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire Regiment).
For most conspicuous bravery on 28th September, 1915, at " Fosse 8," near Vermelles.

When the regimental bombers could make no headway in Slag Alley, Second Lieutenant Turner volunteered to lead a new bombing attack: He pressed down the communication trench practically alone, throwing bombs incessantly with such dash and determination that he drove back the Germans about 150 yards without a check. His action enabled the reserves to advance with very little loss, and subsequently-covered the flank of his regiment in, its retirement, thus probably averting a loss of some hundreds of men.
This most gallant Officer has since died of wounds received in this action.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Fort, Linda (4 September 2014). "Second Reading Victoria Cross hero to be honoured with paving stone". getreading.co.uk. Trinity Mirror Southern. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  2. ↑ CWGC entry
  3. ↑ "No. 29371". The London Gazette (Supplement). 16 November 1915. p. 11448.
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