Private William Turner.
7671 6th East Lancashire Regiment A Coy.
Died of wounds 9th August 1916, aged 30.
William was born in Preston about 1886. The son of William and Ann Elizabeth Turner. In the 1891 census the family were living at 159 Daisly St., Blackburn. William 28, Station Master, born in Chorley, Lancs, Ann Elizabeth 28 born in Preston, Lancs, Teresa 9, Margaret 7, William 4, Jane 3 and Joseph 1.
In the 1901 census the family had moved into the Pelican Hotel, Birley St, Blackburn. William 41, Ann 41, Teresa 19 weaver, Maggie 17 weaver, William 15 apprentice butcher, Jane 13 weaver, Joseph 10, Cuthbert 7, Elizabeth 3, Mary A 1 and Alice Hulsh 50 an aunt.
This is a possible match for William but cannot be 100% sure. 1991 census living at 3 Holly St as a lodger with an Ellen Hough. William 24 Ex Police Constable born in Preston, Lancs.
William married Mary Gertrude Carroll in the Sept quarter of 1911 in Burnley.
From The Express and Advertiser dated November 7th 1914: EAST LANCS CASUALTIES. NOT MISSING AFTER ALL.
William Turner (7671, of the first East Lancashire Regiment, who lives at 42 Helena Street Burnley was posted as missing from October 7th, but news has now come to hand that he is ill with chronic rheumatism in a French Hospital. Mrs Turner received notification from the War Office that he was missing, but on Monday she had another letter from the office at Preston stating that through the British Red Cross Society it had been found that he was not missing, but ill at the fourth General Hospital, Versailles. On the Saturday after receiving the first intimation, Mrs Turner had two postcards from her husband, dated October 1st and 2nd, respectively, saying that he was quite alright. A fortnight later she received a letter from him at Versailles in which he said that his hands were so swollen with rheumatism that he did not know how he had been able to write to her.
Private Turner wrote a letter to his wife on the very day that he was reported missing. "I don't care how soon the war is over, for it is very cold here, he said. Can you send me some socks and cigarettes. There is quite a rush for cigarettes here by all the lads, and you can't very well refuse them a smoke. My feet are very sore with the marching, but I hope they will be better soon. I hope that all are well at home and that trade is better. There are many Burnley lads here."
On the day that Mrs Turner got the second message from the War Office she also received a letter from her husband stating that he had been removed from the hospital. "I have been removed to St Lazaire and I believe they are keeping us here for 14 days ," he said.
Private Turner has served 3 years with the colours and 8 years on the reserve. His term of service would have been completed next year. He was called up with the other reservists on August 5th.
From The Express and advertiser dated 11th November 1914: BURNLEY RESERVIST HILL. 1ST POSTED AS MISSING.
William Turner 7671, of the first East Lancashire Regiment, who lives at 42 Helena Street Burnley, was posted as missing from October 7th but news has now come to hand that he is ill with chronic rheumatism in a French Hospital. Mrs Turner received notification from the war office some time ago that he was missing. But last week she had another letter from the office at Preston stating that through the British Red Cross Society it had been found that he was not missing, but it'll at the fourth general hospital Versailles.
.Private Turner wrote a letter to his wife on the very day that he was reported missing. "I don't care how soon the war is over, for it is very cold here, he said. Can you send me some socks and cigarettes. There is quite a rush for cigarettes here by all the lads, and you can't very well refuse them a smoke. My feet are very sore with the marching, but I hope they will be better soon. I hope that all are well at home and that trade is better. There are many Burnley lads here."
On the day that Mrs Turner got the second message from the War Office she also received a letter from her husband stating that he had been removed from the hospital. "I have been removed to St Lazaire and I believe they are keeping us here for 14 days," he said.
From the Express and Advertiser dated 26th August 1916: DEATHS
TURNER:- Died in hospital, Pte. Wm Turner (7671), 6th East Lancs., Regt., aged 30 yrs – From his wife and Children, $8 Helena St., Burnley. “Rest in peace”.
Lived at 42 Helena Street.
William left his effects to his widow Mary Gertrude.
William was buried in Amara War Cemetery, Iraq: Grave Ref; VII.B.1. Son of William Joseph and Ann Elizabeth Turner, of 245, Whalley New Rd., Blackburn; husband of Mary Gertrude Turner, of 4, Helena St., Burnley.