TURNER, William James Leslie
| Service Number: | 4016 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 29 July 1915, 12th Reinforcements |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 47th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 21 October 1882 |
| Home Town: | Hobart, Tasmania |
| Schooling: | Trinity Hill State School, Hobart, Tasmania |
| Occupation: | Insurance agent |
| Died: | Killed in action, Dernancourt, France, 5 April 1918, aged 35 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Hobart Roll of Honour, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 29 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4016, 15th Infantry Battalion, 12th Reinforcements | |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Nov 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 4016, 15th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: RMS Orontes embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' | |
| 9 Mar 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 47th Infantry Battalion, Egypt | |
| 11 Apr 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 4016, 47th Infantry Battalion, Bullecourt (First) | |
| 12 May 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 47th Infantry Battalion, France | |
| 7 Jun 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 4016, 47th Infantry Battalion, Battle of Messines | |
| 5 Aug 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 47th Infantry Battalion, France | |
| 31 Jan 1918: | Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 47th Infantry Battalion, France | |
| 25 Mar 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 4016, German Spring Offensive 1918, KIA Dernancourt 5 April 1918 | |
| 5 Apr 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 4016, 47th Infantry Battalion, Dernancourt/Ancre, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 4016 awm_unit: 47th Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Sergeant awm_died_date: 1918-04-05 |
Help us honour William James Leslie Turner's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Steve Larkins
Parents: John and Margaret TURNER, Romilly Street, South Hobart, Tasmania. Commemorated in Cornelian Bay Cemetery, Hobart, Tasmania. Parents: John F. and Margaret TURNER~
Biography contributed by Robert Wight
Born 21st October 1882 Hobart Tasmania to John Fox and Margaret Turner (nee Browne) an insurance agent who embarked from Melbourne 24th November 1915 on board RMS Orontes with the 15th Infantry Battalion.
On the night of April the 5th 1918 outside Albert the Germans were bombarding the lines when Sgt Turner was killed instantly by a shell. He is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France.
The following is copy of a letter received by Mrs. M. Turner, Mahwald, Romilly Street, South Hobart, by yesterday's English mail from Captain A. M. Anderson in reference to the death of her son, Sergeant William James Leslie Turner of the 47th Battalion: -
"France, 14/4/18.-Dear Mrs. Turner, I regret that the news of the death of your son, 4016, Sergeant Turner. W. J. L must be confirmed. He fell in action against terrific odds on 6/4/18. He was a man highly respected by all with whom he came in contact for his clean living and devotion to duty. In action his men had every confidence in him, and a mother must be proud of such a son. I personally knew bim for months, and he was one of the men who was untiring in his efforts at cheering up the men at all times by assisting at and organising concert parties, etc. All deeply feel his loss, and we combine in sending our sympathies to you in your loss. Yours very sincerely, A. M. ANDERSON, Captain."
The Mercury 14th June 1918
Source: tasmanianwarcasualties.com
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