Name
Herbert Walter Turner
2 Oct 1883
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/09/1916
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
15465
Bedfordshire Regiment
7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
MILL ROAD CEMETERY, THIEPVAL
I. A. 11.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Holy Trinity Church Memorial, Frogmore, St Stephen Parish Memorial Obelisk, Park Street, St Stephen Parish Memorial Tablet (as WH),Park Street, Not on the St Albans memorials
Pre War
Herbert Walter was born in St Stephens, St Albans on 2 Oct 1883 (baptised 6 Jan 1884, Holy Trinity, Frogmore) to Walter Turner, sewage farm labourer, and Flora Ruth (nee Coe).
On the 1891 Census his parents were living at the Foreman’s House at the sewage Farm, St Stephens with the rest of the Family: Agnes E (born 1877), Florence W (born 1881), Herbert Walter, Frederick O R (born 1886), Charles V (born 1888) and Walter (born 1890). On the 1901 Census The family now consisting of parents, Herbert Walter (now an ironmonger’s assistant), Frederick O R (a coachman), Charles V (Shop assistant & tailors cutter), Walter, Edith (born 1892), William H (born 1894) and Sarah A (born 1898) were living at Branch Road, Park Street. On the 1911 Census the family of parents, Herbert Walter (now a domestic gardener), Walter (an assistant domestic engineer), William (a labourer, Midland Railway) and Sarah were living at Branch Road, Park Street.
Wartime Service
No Service Record was found for Herbert. He enlisted for the Bedfordshire Regiment as Private and following training was posted to 7th (Service) Battalion. At some time he was promoted to Corporal. As part of 18 (Eastern) Division the Battalion including Herbert went to France in Jul 1915.
The Battalion was present on the Somme Sector for the opening day of the Battle of Albert (1 Jul 1916) and being in the first attacking wave were successful in taking Pommiers Redoubt and nearby trenches. The Battalion recorded 321 Casualties for 1st & 2nd Jul 1915. They were later engaged in the Battle of Thiepval Ridge (25 -28 Sep 1916), capturing Thiepval on the 26 Sep, and on 28 Sep 1916 the Scwaben Redoubt. During this last action Herbert was reported killed on 28 Sep 1916, his remains were not recovered and he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £9 10s was paid to his father, his mother Flora received his arrears of £18 16s 10d.
His brother Frederick Osborne Rix Turner served in Alexandra, Princess of Wales's (Yorkshire Regiment) usually known as the Green Howards as Serjeant 19197 dying at Home. He also had peace time service with Royal marines Light Infantry.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Gareth Hughes
