HERBERT KERSEY TURNER
Photograph courtesy of Oundle School Archive http://www.oundleschool.org.uk/Herbert-Kersey-Turner-15-July-1916?returnUrl=/World-War-I-
Born: 9th January 1891, Ipswich.
Died: 15th July 1916; age 25; KiA – whilst leading his men on the attack at High Wood.
Occupation: engaged in the family firm of Messrs. E.R. & F. Turner, Ltd., as an Engineer. After leaving Oundle School, he spent some months in France, and then three years in the engineering shops at St. Peter’s and Grey Friars Works, Ipswich. Later, he visited mills in other parts of the country to gain experience. He had recently been made a Director of the company.
In 1911, he joined the Suffolk Territorials and was one of the first reserves battalions to be sent to France in November 1914. Herbert saw action at Givenchy. In March 1915, at Neuve Chapelle he received several bullet wounds in the leg and was taken to a hospital at Boulogne. He returned to England to recover and accepted a post with the East Anglian Munitions Committee, but afterwards, not feeling satisfied that he was doing his duty by his regiment. In June 1916, he returned to his regiment and was sent out to France again.
Date of Entry Therein: 8th November 1914 – France.
Rank: Captain.
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion.
Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1914 Star.
Believed to be buried in this cemetery; actual grave unknown:
Grave Reference:
Mametz,
Somme,
France.
image from 1917 Suffolk Chronicle and Mercury newspaper.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Leonard & Helen L. Turner.
Cousin to Maurice Arthur Turner.
CENSUS
1901 ‘Beaumarie House’, Anglesea Road, Ipswich.
Herbert was 9 years old and living with his parents & sister.
Leonard Turner, 41, a Mechanical Engineers – employer, born Ipswich.
Helen Louisa Turner (nee Kersey), 37, born Hadleigh, Suffolk.
Marjorie Joyce Turner, 7, born Ipswich.
1 cook
1 nurse
1 house parlour maid.
1911 ‘Spursholt’ Park Road, Ipswich.
Herbert was 19 years old, an Engineer’s Apprentice 1st Class. He was living with his parents.
Leonard, 51, a Director of Engineering Firm.
Helen, 47.
1 cook
1 sewing maid
1 parlour maid.
Herbert was educated at Ipswich School – entered 1900, and Oundle School (School House) in May 1905 and left in December 1908. He was cox of the School House boat which won the Challenge Fours. He played Mustardseed one of the fairies in the Midsummer Nights Dream.
The School magazine, the Laxtonian, lists him as winning many prizes:
The School History and Geography prize at Prize Day in summer 1905.
A Form prize at Prize Day 1906.
Form, French and Maths prizes in summer 1906
He also appears to have been a sporty boy, particularly in rowing, where he coxed the House and School teams throughout his time at School, and also played cricket and rugby.
Oundle School information courtesy of Judith – Archives Office.
Herbert was a keen tennis player, and was on the Committee of the Ipswich Tennis Club.
On the 27th November 1917 Mr L. Turner applies for 1914 Star in respect of his late son. The 1914 Star was sent from Warley, Essex to ‘Spursholt’ Park Road, Ipswich.
Probate to Leonard Turner Esq. – father, a Manufacturing Engineer.
Soldiers’ Effects to Leonard Turner Esq. – father.
Herbert is remembered on the Chapel war memorial at Ipswich School, and at Oundle School Memorial Chapel, Peterborough, Northamptonshire.
Herbert is also remembered on a brass plate inside Mary Magdalene Church, Westerfield, Suffolk. Titled ‘Gallipoli’ with a bronze lion’s head and drinking cup on a chain and half a giant clam shell. Dedicated To The Glory Of God And In Memory Of Herbert Kersey Turner, Captain, 4th, Suffolk Regiment, Killed in France, July 15th 1916, aged 25 years – Only Son Of Leonard And Helen Turner, Spursholt, Ipswich. https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/5594
The Somme offensive day 15
The battle of the Bazentin Ridge and the attack on High Wood.
The 4th Battalion the Suffolk’s 15th July 1916 regimental records:
While the 4th Battalion was moving through Becordel to the position between Fricourt and Mametz where they bivouacked during the night of July 14th-15th, the battle of the Bazentin Ridge was raging in all its fury. They were not destined, however, to remain long thus upon the fringe of the hostilities, and at dawn went out under the command of Major H.C.Copeman D.S.O on support the 1st Middlesex Regiment in an attack on Switch trench. After severe fighting, a line immediately in front of the Village of Bazentin-le-Petit was taken up and held for the remainder of the day. The casualties in the battalion, exceeding two hundred.
This is the highest death rate of the war for Ipswich. 17 men.
Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion
Leave a Reply