Victor Buller Turner

From Alf Askin's research notes

Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.

TURNER, Victor Buller. (reg No. 1241).

Lieutenant Colonel. Rifle Brigade. * London Gazetted on 20th November 1942.

VC Medal's Custodian is the Royal Green Jackets Museum, Winchester.

Born on 17th January 1900 at Thatcham, Newbury, Berkshire.

Died on 7th August 1972 at Ditchingham, Bungay, Suffolk. After Cremation at Horsham St Faith, Norfolk, his ashes were interred at St Mary's churchyard, Ditchingham, Suffolk. Name also appears on the Rifle Brigade Memorial, Winchester Cathedral.

Digest of Citation reads: Lieutenant Colonel Turner was commanding a battalion of the Rifle Brigade at 'Kidney Ridge', El Aqqaqir, in the Western Desert. On the night of the 27th October 1942, he led the Battalion through extremely difficult terrain, for over two miles, to their objective, where they captured 40 prisoners. Organising an all-round defence of the captured position which came under continuous attack from the enemy they held out for nearly 14 hours. Owing to the accuracy of the enemy fire and their isolated position, they were unable to replenish their supplies of ammunition. During these hours of isolation they came under attack from enemy tanks, around 90 in all. The Germans lost 35 of these tanks during this engagement and approximately 20 more were immobilised. Throughout the action Lieutenant Colonel Turner was found wherever the position was most threatened and on one occasion acted as a loader for a six pounder gun that was manned only by an officer and a sergeant. He was in this situation when he received a wound to the head. He delayed any medical attention until the last tank had been destroyed. His encouragement to the men under his command and his own personal gallantry set an example to the whole Battalion.

* Prince Consort's Own.

Additional information:. Lieutenant Colonel Victor Buller was the brother of Second Lieutenant A.B.Turner VC and had a family connection with General Sir Redvers Buller VC. He was also Commander of the Victorian Order (CVO). Once he was taken prisoner, but gaining the support of his fellow prisoners they turned on their captors, in turn taking them prisoner and returning to the Allied lines with enemy soldiers loaded in lorries.