Name
Raymond Arthur Turner
10th January 1886
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/08/1914
29 years
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
6733
Hampshire Regiment
1st Battalion
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LIGNY-EN-CAMBRESIS COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Allied British Section. 9.
France
Headstone Inscription
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Abbots Langley War Memorial. Leavesden War Memorial. Leavesden Green War Memorial.
Pre War
Raymond was born in Stanlake, Oxfordshire, on 10th January 1886, the son of Arthur Turner (B 1862, in Stanlake, Oxon) and Theresa Turner (B 1866, in Stanlake, Oxon). The eldest of 10 Children, two of which died in infancy.
1891 Census records Raymond aged 5, at school, living with his parents and brother Percival 9 months, at Rake End, Stanlake Oxfordshire.
Between 1891 and 1901 the family moved to the Abbots Langley area.
Raymond attended Leavesden School and Watford Callowland Boys school.
By 1901 now aged 15, the family lived at Hazelwood Park, Langleybury, Abbots Langley Hertfordshire, Raymond was working as a Domestic House Boy, living with his parents, brothers Percival 10, William 7, Arthur 6 months, sisters Ellen 9, Myra 5, Ada 3 and Ethel 2.
1911 Census records Raymond
working as a Bricklayers Labourer, still living at home with his parents,
brothers Percival, William, Arthur, sisters, Myra, Ada and Ethel, at North
Lodge, Hazelwood Park, Abbots Langley, Herts. Raymond Married Rhoda Sabrina
Gurney the daughter of Alfred Gurney, a Shepherd. On the 31st May 1913 in the Parish
Church of Leavesden. They had two children.
Wartime Service
It is not known exactly when Raymond enlisted but his Regimental Number was issued some time between March 1902 and April 1903 and that he was in France soon after the outbreak of war this would indicate he was either in the Territorials or a Reservist possible having served on a short service - 3 years with the colours and 9 years with the reserves.
He embarked at Southampton on 22nd August 1914, Disembarking at La Havre on 23rd August 1914. Raymond was killed in Action just 3 days later on 26th August 1914, at the Battle of Le Cateau, Retreat from Mons.
Extract from the battalion
War Diary: Aug 24th the 1st
Battalion arrived and detrained at Le Cateau at 4am and walked six miles to
Solesmes to cover the B.E.F. Retreat from Mons, the B.E.F. who were being
pursued by an overwhelming force. The Battalion moved into position at south west of Cattenieres, the Germans
advanced “D” Company engaged, and they withdrew.
Additional Information
His effects of £2-12s-5d, Pay Owing and £5 War Gratuity went to his widow Rhoda. They where part of 11th Brigade, 4th Division.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
