Victor Buller Turner

He faced enemy tanks and loaded a field gun under heavy fire

Victor Buller Turner was born in Berkshire in 1900 and educated at Wellington and Sandhurst. Commissioned into the Rifle Brigade in 1918, he served in Iraq and remained a regular officer. During the Second World War he commanded a motor battalion in the Western Desert.

At El Aqqaqir on 27 October 1942, his battalion resisted repeated armoured counterattacks during the Battle of El Alamein. Turner moved among the positions, directed their defence and joined a depleted anti-tank gun crew as loader. Although wounded in the head, he continued until the attack had been repulsed. His Victoria Cross recognised his leadership and personal example.

He retired from the Army in 1949 and joined the royal household as an officer of the Yeomen of the Guard. He became a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 1966 and lieutenant of the bodyguard in 1967. He died at Ditchingham on 7 August 1972; his ashes were interred there.

Victoria Cross citation

For most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on the 27th October, 1942, in the Western Desert. Lieutenant-Colonel Turner led a Battalion of the Rifle Brigade at night for 4,000 yards through difficult country to their objective, where 40 German prisoners were captured. He then organised the captured position for all-round defence; in this position he and his Battalion were continuously attacked from 5.30 a.m. to 7 p.m., unsupported and so isolated that replenishment of ammunition was impossible owing to the concentration and accuracy of the enemy fire. During this time the Battalion was attacked by not less than 90 German tanks which advanced in successive waves. All of these were repulsed with a loss to the enemy of 35 tanks which were in flames, and not less than 20 more which had been immobilised. Throughout the action Lieutenant-Colonel Turner never ceased to go to each part of the front as it was threatened. Wherever the fire was heaviest, there he was to be found. In one case, finding a solitary six-pounder gun in action (the others being casualties) and manned only by another officer and a Sergeant, he acted as loader and with these two destroyed 5 enemy tanks. While doing this he was wounded in the head, but he refused all aid until the last tank was destroyed. His personal gallantry and complete disregard of danger as he moved about encouraging his Battalion to resist to the last, resulted in the infliction of a severe defeat on the enemy tanks. He set an example of leadership and bravery which inspired his whole Battalion and which will remain an inspiration to the Brigade.