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Alexander Buller Turner VC was an English recipient during the First World War of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. His younger brother, Victor was a recipient of the VC in the Second World War.
Turner was born at home in Reading, Berkshire on 22 May 1893 to Charles Turner, later Major in the Royal Berkshire Regiment, and his second wife Jane Elizabeth, only daughter of Admiral Sir Alexander Buller. He was educated at Wellington College, Berkshire and commissioned into the Special Reserve of Officers, Royal Berkshire Regiment, 3rd Battalion, in 11 September 1914. He was subsequently transferred to 1st Battalion.
He was 22 years old, and a second lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Berkshire Regiment, British Army, attached to 1st Battalion during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:
On 28 September 1915 at Fosse 8, near Vermelles, France, when the regimental bombers could make no headway, Second Lieutenant Turner volunteered to lead a new bombing attack. He made his way down the communication trench practically alone, throwing bombs incessantly with such dash and determination that he drove off the Germans about 150 yards without a check. His action enabled the reserves to advance with very little loss and subsequently covered the flank of his regiment in its retirement, thus probably averting the loss of some hundreds of men. Second Lieutenant Turner died three days later of the wounds received in this action.
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