Walter Turton
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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Walter Turton was born on 6th April 1874 at Skegby, Sutton in Ashfield, he was baptised on 7th September 1874 at St Marys Church, Sutton in Ashfield. He was the son of Elijah Clifford Turton (1836-1873) and Esther Ann Walker (1838 – 1910) they were married in 1856 their marriage was recorded in the Basford Registration district, they had 8 children. Walter married Elizabeth Ann Walker born 11th October 1874 at Skegby on 30th April 1894 at St Marys Church, Sutton in Ashfield, they lived at Eastfield Side, Sutton 8in Ashfield, they had 9 children, sadly two died in infancy or early childhood. In the 1911 census the family are living at Eastfield Side, Sutton in Ashfield, Walter 36 yrs a coal miner hewer he is living with his wife Elizabeth Ann 35 yrs and 9 of their children. On his pension card Walter has listed 6 children, and the family are living at Forest Side, Sutton in Ashfield. Commencing 2nd November 1915 his widow was awarded a pension of 29 shillings a week.
Private Walter Turton enlisted on 7th July 1914 and was posted to the Sherwood Foresters Regiment, He was only with them for 9 days before transferring to The Royal Marine Light Infantry. He went with his regiment to Gallipoli when he was seriously wounded during this attack on 1s May 1915 on Gaba Tepe, Gallipoli he had gun shot wounds to both thighs and his left hand. He was evacuated however he died on 30th May 1915 and is buried at Gibralter
Turton was one of 'Kitchener's Marines' who were transferred from the Sherwood Foresters to the RMLI. Des Turner notes '600 RMLI transfers came from 2 regiments - 200 from the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI) and 400 from the Sherwood Foresters. They were predominantly ex-miners and labourers, fit men wanted for their ability to dig trenches and tunnels. The 200 KOYLI recruits were transferred to Plymouth Division RMLI and were given service numbers PLY/1(S) to PLY200(S). This was also the case for the Sherwood Foresters 200 who were dispatched to Portsmouth where already 30 men were recruited and so they became PO/31(S) to PO/230(S). 200 remaining Foresters went to Chatham and were numbered CH/1 to CH/200(S).' His son George Turton Private G/29236 served with the 7th battalion The Buffs (East Kent Regiment, he died on 22nd August 1918 and is buried at Albert Communal Cemetery Extension.
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