TURNER, Charles R

Display Number:  0107  
Name:  Turner  Charles R
Rank:  Seaman Service Number:  A5087
Date Joined:   Date Discharged:  

Charles Robert Turner was a merchant seaman and a member of the Royal Naval Reserve prior to the outbreak of World War One. He was undergoing a course at the RN Gunnery School in August 1914 when he was drafted to the Royal Naval Division and sent to Belgium.

Turner served in the Royal Naval Anson Battalion in Flanders from August to November 1914. After his time in the trenches he volunteered for service in Q ships, merchant ships heavily armed with concealed weaponry. The vessels were used to lure submarines to the surface, making them vulnerable to an attack by the Q ships. Turner served in HMS PENSHURST and HMS PARGUST.

 
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Medal Description (Left to Right):  
  • 1914 Star (5th August - 22nd November 1914 Clasp) - Sometimes referred to as the 'Mons Star', the 1914 Star was awarded for service in Belgium and France between 5 August 1914 and 22 November. The clasp '5th Aug-22nd Nov 1914' is awarded for those who were actually under fire in Belgium and France during this period.
  • British War Medal - Recognises the successful conclusion of the First World War. Its coverage was later extended to recognise service until 1920, recognising mine clearing operations at sea, and participation in operations in North and South Russia, the eastern Baltic, Siberia, the Black Sea and the Caspian.
  • Victory Medal (Mentioned In Despatches) - Was issued to all those who had already qualified for the 1914 Star or the 1914-15 Star, and to most persons who had already qualified for the British War Medal. It was awarded to all New Zealand troops serving overseas, except for those who arrived in Samoa after 30 August 1914 and those serving in Great Britain only. It is also sometimes referred to as the "Allied War Medal", because the same basic design and double rainbow ribbon were adopted by 13 other allied nations. The bronze oak leaf insignia recognises that they were Mentioned in Despatches.