Alexander Buller Turner
Second Lieutenant, 3rd Battalion.(attached to 1st Battalion)
- Register No.
- 1237 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Second Lieutenant all Second Lieutenants →
- Unit
- 3rd Battalion.(attached to 1st Battalion) (register: Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire Regiment)) all Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire Regiment) VCs →
- Date of action
- 28 September 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 18th November 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
- Born
- the 22nd May, 1893 at Reading, Berkshire
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- at Chocques Military Cemetery, France
- Medal held by
- The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire &
Digest of citation
Second Lieutenant Turner volunteered to lead a new bombing attack at Fosse 8, Vermelles, France, after previous attacks by the Regimental bombers had failed to make any headway on 20th September 1915. He made his way, almost alone, along the communication trench continuously throwing bombs with courage and determination in such a way that the Germans were forced to retreat 150 yards. His act of courage allowed the reserves to advance with minor casualties. Subsequently, during the retirement of his regiment, he covered the flank, no doubt averting the loss of some hundreds of his comrades. During this action, Second Lieutenant Turner was wounded. He subsequently died of these wounds
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
TURNER, Alexander Buller. (reg No. 1237).
Second Lieutenant. 3rd Battalion.(attached to 1st Battalion). Royal Berkshire Regiment.
London Gazetted on 18th November 1915.
VC Medal's Custodian isThe Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire & Wiltshire Regiment Museum, 58 The Close, Salisbury, Wiltshire.
Born on the 22nd May, 1893 at Reading, Berkshire.
Died of his wounds on the 1st October 1915 near Chocques, France.
Memorial on grave at Chocques Military Cemetery, France.
Digest of Citation reads: Second Lieutenant Turner volunteered to lead a new bombing attack at Fosse 8, Vermelles, France, after previous attacks by the Regimental bombers had failed to make any headway on 20th September 1915. He made his way, almost alone, along the communication trench continuously throwing bombs with courage and determination in such a way that the Germans were forced to retreat 150 yards. His act of courage allowed the reserves to advance with minor casualties. Subsequently, during the retirement of his regiment, he covered the flank, no doubt averting the loss of some hundreds of his comrades. During this action, Second Lieutenant Turner was wounded. He subsequently died of these wounds.
Additional information:. Second Lieutenant Turner was the brother of Lieutenant Colonel Victor Buller Turner VC., CVO. Both brothers had included in their Christian names, Buller, as they had a family connection with General Sir Redvers Buller VC., GCB., GCMG.
Additional information
Second Lieutenant Turner was the brother of Lieutenant Colonel Victor Buller Turner VC., CVO. Both brothers had included in their Christian names, Buller, as they had a family connection with General Sir Redvers Buller VC., GCB., GCMG.
Royal Berkshire Regiment.
Wiltshire Regiment Museum,
58 The Close, Salisbury, Wiltshire.
Died of his wounds on the 1st October 1915 near Chocques, France.
Register note: Died of wounds
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Chocques Military Cemetery, France
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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