Name
George Henry Turney
1890
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
22/08/1918
28
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
19163
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
DAOURS COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
V. A. 19.
France
Headstone Inscription
"GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN IN LOVING MEMORY FROM HIS LOVED ONES AT HOME"
UK & Other Memorials
Wiggington Village Memorial
Pre War
George Henry Turney was born in 1890 in Wigginton, Herts the son of William Turney a Brickmaker (B 1860 in Aldbury, Herts) and Hannah Maria Turney (nee Baker) (B1861 in Wigginton). He was one of nine children.
1891 Census records George aged 2, living with his parent, sisters Louisa 10, Sarah 8, Emily 6, and Edith 4, at Grimes Dike, Chesham Road, Wigginton, Herts.
1901 Census records George aged 12, at school, living with his parents, sisters Sarah, Louisa, Edith, Nellie 9, Rose 7 and brother Sidney 5, at Clay Hill, Wigginton.
By 1911 George was working as a Farm Labourer, living with his parents, sisters Nellie, Rose, brothers Sidney and Eric 9, at Grimes Dike, Wigginton.
Wartime Service
George enlisted in Watford, Herts and posted to the Bedfordshire Regiment with the Service No. 19163. Initially he was with the 7th Battalion, later transferred to the 2nd Battalion. His Medal Card indicates he was with the 7th Battalion and landed in France on 26th July 1915, this corresponds with the Battalion War Diary.
Extract from the War Diary: "26th July 1915. 1.45pm. 7th Bedford's left Codford for service abroad. Marching out Strength 820 Men and 31 Officers. Arrived Folkstone at 8.30 and Embarked with 54th Brigade HQ on "S.S. Onward". On arrival at Boulogne sur Mer the Battalion marched to Ostronove Rest Camp".
He was later transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, who he was with when he died of wounds received in action on 22nd August 1918, he is buried in the CWGC Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France.
Additional Information
The value of his effects were £8-14s-6d, Pay Owing and £17, War Gratuity which went to his father William.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild, Stuart Osborne.
