Individual Details
2nd Lt Alexander Buller Turner VC Royal Berkshire Rgt
(22 May 1893 - 1 Oct 1915)
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]
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]
Events
| Birth | 22 May 1893 | Reading, Berkshire, England, United Kingdom | |||
| Residence | 1901 | Relation to Head of House: Grandson - Plympton St. Maurice, Devon, England, United Kingdom | |||
| Military service | Bet 1914 and 1918 | WW1 VC | |||
| Death | 1 Oct 1915 | WWI CWGC - Chocques, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France |  |
Families
| Father | Maj Charles Turner (1862 - 1926) |
| Mother | Jane Elizabeth Buller (1871 - 1946) |
| Sibling | Janey Emily Buller Turner (1894 - 1996) |
| Sibling | Cecil Buller Turner (1895 - 1978) |
| Sibling | Lt Col Victor Buller Turner VC CVO - Rifle Brigade (1900 - 1972) |
| Sibling | Lt Col Mark Buller Turner Rifle Brigade (1906 - 1971) |
Notes
Death
SECOND LIEUTENANT ALEXANDER BULLER TURNERRegiment & Unit/Ship: Royal Berkshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Date of Death: Died 01 October 1915
Age 22 years old
Buried or commemorated at https://www.cwgc.org/visit-us/find-cemeteries-memorials/cemetery-details/16500/CHOCQUES%20MILITARY%20CEMETERY"> CHOCQUES MILITARY CEMETERY I. B. 2.
France
Additional Info - Son of Major and Mrs. Charles Turner, of Thatcham House, Newbury, Berks.
Personal Inscription LOVE, JOY, PEACE LONG SUFFERING, GENTLENESS GOODNESS, FAITH
An extract from the Third Supplement to the London Gazette of 16th Nov., 1915, No. 29371, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery on 28th Sept., 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."