Alexander Buller Turner

He drove enemy troops back in a lone bombing attack at Loos.

Alexander Buller Turner was born on 22 May 1893, the eldest son of Charles and Jane Turner. His family moved to Thatcham House in Berkshire in 1902. He attended Wellington College from 1906 to 1908 and joined the British Army shortly after the outbreak of the First World War in 1914.

A second lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment, attached to its 1st Battalion, Turner fought during the Battle of Loos. On 28 September 1915, near Vermelles in France, the regiment's grenade throwers were unable to advance through Slag Alley at Fosse 8. He volunteered to lead another attack and pushed along the communication trench almost alone, throwing grenades and forcing the German defenders back about 150 yards. His advance allowed reserves to move forward with few casualties and protected the regiment's flank during its withdrawal.

Victoria Cross citation, London Gazette, 18 November 1915:

“For most conspicuous bravery on 28th September, 1915, at 'Fosse 8,' near Vermelles.

When the regimental bombers could make no headway in Slag Alley, Second Lieutenant Turner volunteered to lead a new bombing attack: He pressed down the communication trench practically alone, throwing bombs incessantly with such dash and determination that he drove back the Germans about 150 yards without a check. His action enabled the reserves to advance with very little loss, and subsequently covered the flank of his regiment in its retirement, thus probably averting a loss of some hundreds of men.

This most gallant Officer has since died of wounds received in this action.”

Turner suffered a gunshot wound to the stomach and died of his wounds on 1 October 1915, aged 22. He is buried in Chocques Military Cemetery, France, in grave I. B. 2. His posthumous Victoria Cross commemorates an attack that enabled fellow soldiers to advance and withdraw with fewer losses.