TURNER, Robert James
| Service Number: | 4004 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 26 August 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Windsor, New South Wales, Australia, 27 August 1867 |
| Home Town: | Dubbo, Dubbo Municipality, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Sleeper hewer |
| Died: | 1953, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 26 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4004, 2nd Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Dec 1915: | Involvement Private, 4004, 2nd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Medic embarkation_ship_number: A7 public_note: '' | |
| 30 Dec 1915: | Embarked Private, 4004, 2nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Medic, Sydney |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Robert James Turner of Dubbo NSW, enlisted during August 1915, at the age of 48 (stated he was 44), and as the father of nine children. He arrived in France with the 2nd Battalion during April 1916. After a period of six months at the front he was transferred to the Anzac Corps School based in France. It was formed in France on 11 November 1916. The school ran courses on subjects such as bombing, Lewis guns, trench mortars and signalling. In late 1917 after seeking treatment for rheumatism, he was found to be 49 years of age, and was returned to Australia as “overage” during January 1918.
His son, 1588 Pte John James Turner, 3rd Battalion AIF was killed in action at Lone Pine, Gallipoli between 7-12 August 1915, aged 21.
Another son, 767 Pte John Turner, 30th Battalion AIF, was killed in action at Fromelles, 20 July 1916, aged 20. His remains were buried in the Pheasant Wood Cemetery at Fromelles in 2008.
His son in law 10531 Sapper Urban Parr, 3rd Divisional Signal Company, was killed in action in Belgium 12 October 1917.
Another son, 2931 Herbert William Turner 33rd Battalion AIF, enlisted at 18 years of age in 1916 and returned to Australia in 1919.
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