Name
James Turner
1885
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
18/05/1915
30
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
4/6950
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LE TOURET MEMORIAL
Panel 10 and 11
France
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Holy Trinity Church Memorial, Weston, Letchworth Town Memorial, Not on the Stevenage Old Town memorials
Pre War
James Turner was born in Weston, Herts in 1885 to William Turner, labourer, and Lydia (nee Clements).
On the 1891 Census the family of parents, Charles (born 1872), Fanny (born 1887), Louisa K (born 1882) and James were living at New Street, Weston.
On the 1901 Census James was living with his parents at Hitchin Road, Weston.
On the 1911 Census James was a cowman and living with his parents at Ibetson, Weston Road Weston, Stevenage, there was also a boarder John Linstead ( domestic gardener).
Born in Weston in 1886 to William and Lydia Turner. Baptised in Weston on 7 November 1886.
1911 Census: living with parents at Hitchin Road, Weston, Nr Stevenage, Herts and working as a Cowman on a Farm.
Wartime Service
No Service Records were found for James who enlisted in the Bedfordshire Regiment as Private 4/6950 about 1912. The prefix indicates the 4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion.
At some time he was posted into the 2nd Battalion which had returned from South Africa on 19 Sep 1914 and being re-equipped and made up to strength landed at Zeebrugge in early Oct 1914 as part of 21 Brigade 7 Division. They covered the retreat of the Belgian Army before moving to join the British Expeditionary Force at Ypres. In 1915 the division took part in the Battles of Neuve Chapelle (1-13 Mar), Aubers Ridge (9 May) and Festubert (15-25 May). In this last Battle on 17 May at Le Epinette. 7.30pm: The 2nd Bedfordshire and 1st /4th Cameron Highlanders of 21st Brigade attack on the extreme right of the British advanced positions, with the objective of the Southern Breastwork lying some 400 yards away across what appeared to be flat ground. On moving forward, the infantry discover a number of hidden and flooded ditches – and some men drown in the attempt to cross. The Bedfords advance is broken up, but some men of the Camerons get into the Breastwork trenches.
On the 18 May there was steady rainfall, clearing around 11.00am and at 3.00am: The 2/Bedfordshire and 1/4/Cameron Highlanders repeat their earlier attack, but it is repulsed. The small party of Camerons in the enemy trench are forced to withdraw due to lack of bombs. Further bombardments and infantry attacks are postponed as visibility is so poor in the mist and rain. James was killed in action on 18 May 1915, his remains were not recovered and he remembered on the Le Touret Memorial.
Killed in action during operations in the front line trenches at Le Epinette.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £3 was paid to his brother William who also received £1 2s 6d of James’ arrears. Others who shared in the arrears were: brother William (£1 2s 6d), Charles (£1 2s 6d, Fanny Game (nee Turner, £2 12s 6d), Kate Linstead (nee Turner, £1 2s 6d), Lydia Page (nee Turner, £1 2s 5d), niece Mary Bishop (5s 8d), nephew William Waldock (5s 7d). a nephew 5s 7d.
James was in the same battalion as James Wallis (also named on the memorial), who was wounded on the 16th and died 18th May. James' brother Charles served in the Bedfordshire Regiment from 1893 - in the Bedfordshire Regiment as L/cpl 4750and in the Hertfordshire Regiment, as Private 2886, survived the Great War and returned to the village. He died in 1944.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Dan Hill, Janet Capstick, Peter Handy, Brenda Palmer, Jonty Wild
