TURNER, WILLIAM R. Lance Corporal. 6920. 1st Regular Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Entitled to the 1914 Star, Bar and Clasp /2/2693, qualification date August the 8th 1914, also the British War and Victory Medals. 

The 1891 census records William aged 4, sisters Mary and Iley, and brother Wilfred, living with their parents Iley and Henry Turner, a general labourer, of Cemetery Road, Alford. 

The 1901 census records William aged 14, sister Iley, and brothers, Henry (Jnr.), James and George, living with their parents Iley and Henry Turner in Norfolk Street, Boston; at this time, William's father Henry, was working as a coal merchant.

The 1911 census records William, now aged 23, a groom, boarding with Emma and Harry Christopher Smith, a general labourer, of Hamilton Road, Alford.

Born in Alford, William Turner enlisted at Lincoln giving his place of residence as Horncastle. Most likely a pre-war regular or reservist, William was with the 1st. Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, on its arrival in France.

William was killed in action on the night of August 23/24th. 1914, aged 29, when the 1st. was holding a line along the Rue Des Dames near Frameries, as part of the 9th. Brigade, which at that time formed the rear guard for the British Army on the Retreat from Mons. It was the first time the Battalion had seen action in the Great War. 

He lies in an unknown grave, and he is commemorated on the La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial, Seine-et-Marne, France.

His widow Mary Abigail Turner received his soldiers’ effects of £1 17s, 11s 5d, and war gratuity of £5, and his pension.

Lance Corporal William R. Turner is remembered with honour on the Horncastle War Memorial inside St. Mary’s Church.