Archibald Bannatyne Turner (1897-1951)

1916

Wyndham City Libraries

text

eng

Archibald Bannatyne Turner

3440

George Turner,
16 Erskine Street,
Malvern
Father

16 Erskine Street,
Malvern

Single

Brighton General Cemetery

No.3440  Private Archibald Bannatyne Turner
Archibald Bannatyne Turner was born in Yarraville Victoria, and his birth was registered in Footscray in 1897. 
[Victorian Birth Certificate No 28220/1897.]

His parents were George Argo Turner and Margaret Forrester Thomson.

[His father was Honorary Major 1880 Turner, Red Cross Commissioner, South Africa]

Children of the marriage were:

• George Argo Turner -  born 26 June 1886 in Queensland. (A.I.F. No.19063)
• Isabella Helen Turner - born 1888 in Queensland
• Archibald Bannatyne Turner - born 1897 at Footscray. (A.I.F. No.3340)
• Grace Dunbar Turner - born 1899 at Footscray
• Margaret Forrester Turner - born 1890 at Footscray

Pre War
Archibald Turner had some prior military service, in that he served for four years in the Cadets. He was still serving with them when he transferred to the A.I.F. in 1916.  Even though he was living at home in Malvern, he must have had some sort of connection with people in Mt Cotterell, Victoria.

War Service
On 25 September 1916, Archibald Turner enlisted in the A.I.F. at Melbourne. He was just 18 years and 10 months of age.  After completing his initial training at the Seymour Camp on 11 December 1916, he was appointed as a Private with the 2nd Reinforcements for the 2nd Pioneer Battalion.

Just two weeks later, on 16 December 1916, he embarked from Melbourne per Medic, and sailed to England.  They disembarked at Plymouth on 18 February 1917, and he marched in to the Training Camp at Sutton Veny.

Private Turner than underwent further training with the Pioneer Training Battalion at Fovant until May 1917.  He then spent time with the School of Musketery at Tidworth, where he qualified on the Lewis Gun. 

Next, he was appointed as a Temporary Corporal, and remained as a Permanent Cadre of the school until 31 December 1917, when he marched-out to France.

On 8 January 1918, Private Turner arrived and was taken on strength with the 2nd Pioneer Battalion at Nieppe.  They had just completed installing a telephone system along the forward tramway lines, which they also maintained.

During his time in France he was gassed, but didn't leave his unit.  His medical reports say that he had coughed for nine months, and was debilitated and anaemic.

After the Armistice was declared, Private Turner was granted leave in England.  Whilst there, he was admitted as sick, to the 1st A.D.F. at Bulford, and he was hospitalised for 61 days.

When he was released from hospital he went to the No.1 Commonwealth Depot, to await transportation back to Australia.

Private Turner was invalided back to Australia on  31 March 1919 per Khyber, and disembarked at Melbourne on 12 May 1919.  He was discharged from the A.I.F. on 22 July 1919.

Post War
Archibald Bannatyne Turner married Williamina Alexandrina Elizabeth Ann in Victoria in 1922.
Victorian Marriage Cert No 5156/1922 - Victorian Marriages 1836-1941 – Find My Past

The Electoral Rolls record Archibald as living in Richmond, Victoria in 1924, where he worked as a Contractor/Laundryman. He remained in that area for the remainder of his life.

Archibald Bannatyne Turner died at Prahran, Victoria, aged 53 years on 19 June 1951.
Australian Billion Graves Cemetery Index – Find My Past
Victorian Death Cert No. 6641/1951 – Victorian Deaths 1836-1985 – Find My Past
He was buried at the Brighton General Cemetery.

Medals and Entitlements:

• British War Medal - No.61549
• Victory Medal - No.59749

Notes
Name on the Werribee Shire Oak Board: "TURNER, A."

Turner names in the Werribee Shire Banner Newspaper during the war were:

"Turner, R from Werribee" first appeared in the Roll of Honor, Werribee Shire Banner, 29 July 1915, p.3. He was K.I.A. on 9 March 1917.

"Turner, H. from Werribee" first appeared in the Roll of Honor, Werribee Shire Banner, 9 September 1915, p.3.
The location was later changed to Mount Cotterell.

"Turner, A. from Mount Cotterell" only appeared in the Roll of Honor, Werribee Shire Banner, 13 February 1919, p.3.

Embarkation
https://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/

Unit War Diary
https://www.awm.gov.au/collectio

Death
ancestry.com.au

Service Record
https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/

Marriage
ancestry.com.au

Pioneer Index 1837-1888 CD
Federation Index 1889-1901 CD
Edwardian Index 1902-1913 CD
Great War Index 1914-1920 CD
Marriage Index 1921-1942 CD

British War Medal

Victory Medal