Ralph Turner (1887-1917)

1915

Wyndham City Libraries

text

eng

Ralph Turner

2820A

John Turner
Father

Not known

Single

Guards’ Cemetry, Lesboeufs – Somme, France

No.2820A  Lance Corporal Ralph Turner
Ralph Turner was born in Kyneton in 1887 to John Turner and Sarah Turner (nee Darby). He had five brothers:

• John
• William Greville
• Edward John
• George

and four sisters:

• Ada Elizabeth
• Harriet Hannah 
• Ellen Frances
• Annie Jane Elizabeth who married John Henry Unwin in 1907.  

Both John Henry and Ralph are living and working at Metropolitan Farm in 1909 and 1914 both as labourers.  In Electoral records on the Metropolitan Farm in 1909, his brother Edward John and wife Ann Martha are living there also, as is their other brother William Greville.  

Ralph's father died on 31 December 1918 in Kyneton and his wife appears to be living with Edward John at Foxhow, Camperdown around the time of her husband’s death (this is noted in Ralph’s army records).  According to Electoral records, William Greville is living with Edward John and his wife at Foxhow, Camperdown in 1914.  

War Service
Ralph enlisted into the Army at Melbourne on 2 August 1915.  He was 28 years old and 5 feet and 5 and a quarter inches tall; and weighed 12 stone and had a chest measurement of thirty six inches. His complexion was medium with blue eyes and light brown hair.  His next of kin is listed as his father, John Turner of Kyneton.  All of this was recorded at the time of his enlistment.

Ralph joined the 58th Battalion on 23 February 1916 in Egypt.  He was sent to hospital sick on the 4 March 1916 and rejoined his unit 25 March 1916.  Ralph was transferred and taken on strength in the 5th Pioneer Battalion.  He disembarked in Marseilles 25 June 1916. He was appointed Lance Corporal Vice 3 March 1917 and was killed in action on the 9 March 1917.  He was buried at the Guards’ Cemetry, Lesboeufs – Somme, France. Grave Ref 11.K.1.

A newspaper article, advising of his death, was published in March 1917.
"Word came through that Private Ralph Turner, another of our brave boys, has fallen in action in France. His comrade, Private C.C. Guest, fell on the 30th January and Ralph, who was with him all through, did not survive him long. Mrs. J. Unwin, of the Metro Farm, was his sister, and she feels the loss of her favourite brother very much. The deepest sympathy is extended to her in her sad bereavement. Prior to enlisting turner was employed at the Research Farm, and was well liked by all who knew him. He was a native of Kyneton district, where his parents still reside".
Werribee Banner, 29 March 1917, p.2. 

Medals and Entitlements:
[received by his mother]

• 1914/15 Star Medal - 9 February 1923
• British War Medal - 14 October 1921
• Victory Medal - 9 February 1923
• Memorial Scroll - 14 November 1921
• Memorial Plaque - 8 August 1922 

War records
http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/NameSearch/
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/543759/TURNER,%20RALPH
http://www.awm.gov.au/people/roll-search/roll_of_honour/
http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8080/index.html

Trove
Harvard/Australian citation
1917 'DISTRICT NEWS.', Werribee Shire Banner (Vic. : 1911 - 1952), 29 March, p. 2, viewed 7 May, 2014, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74826487

Family records
http://search.ancestry.com.au/

1914-15 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal