TURNER, Joseph Ernest [of Newark]

Photo:Joseph Ernest Turner

Joseph Ernest Turner

Newark Herald Newspaper

211598 Sherwood Foresters / 43023 11th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment

By John Pownall

Through researching my family history, I discovered that Joseph Ernest Turner was my Father’s cousin. I found out that his mother’s name was Emily Ada Pownall. Emily married Mr George Walter Turner. The 1901 census evidenced that they were born and lived in Nottingham. The census indicated that the Turners were related to my family. My grandfather’s name was Samuel Pownall and his younger brother was called Arthur. Samuel and Arthur are stated as brothers-in-law to the Turners. The 1901 census also indicated that they were lodging with the Tuner family.

In the following 1911 census the Turners were stated as living at 11 Tenter buildings on Appleton Gate, Newark on Trent. The census also indicated that my grandfather was now married and living with his own family in Nottingham. In this census, Joseph is stated as being a Lather boy (Barber). His father’s occupation is stated as a boiler maker. Displayed on old maps of the time, a Boiler Manufacturer is shown to have been located near to the area where they lived. This was not far from Newark North Gate railway station where Joseph’s father may have been employed.

          I obtained the following detail (also photo) from the archive of the Newark Herald newspaper, stated as written;-

          “CORPL. J. E. TURNER, NEWARK.

Mr and Mrs. Turner, who up to six months ago resided in Tenter buildings and now live at Nottingham, have received news of the death in action of their only son, Corpl. J. E. Turner, of the Leicesters. Before joining up in the early days of the war, was apprenticed to Mr Newbold, hairdresser, Northgate. The first intimation the parents received was from the Corporal’s cousin, who said he saw him killed. Later the following letter was received from his C.Q.M.S, “I am writing on behalf of the N.C.O.’s of “C” Company to offer you our sympathy in the loss of your son. During the past two years we have been together we have always found him to be one of the best – a true British soldier. He was always willing to do any task he was asked and he did not know the meaning of fear. It may be of some consolation for you to know that your son died fighting and several of the enemy fell to his gun”.

          Joseph Ernest Turner was first enlisted to the Sherwood Foresters (Nr 21159) and was transferred to the 11th Battalion the Leicestershire Regiment (Nr 43023).

His death is recorded as 22 March 1918 in Flanders, France. Joseph’s name is recorded on both the Arras Memorial and the Newark Memorial.

 

         

This page was added by John Pownall on 29/10/2014.
Comments about this page

Joseph Ernest Turners name will be read out on the Roll of Honour at the Tower of London at 4.55pm on Sunday November 2nd.

By John Pownall
On 03/11/2014

Joseph Ernest Turner.

I recently noticed that one of the well known history sites, have listed in their catalogue a digitized record of “Soldiers effects”. This record is only for soldiers who died in WW1. I had made the common error of thinking that it would be a list of personal belongings and items recovered from the soldiers after their death. Instead it is a register of the final amounts owed by the government/army to the next of kin.

There are two amounts of money dispensed. The first is listed as “Credit”. The amount stated in his case is £9-6s-4d. This has been authorised and paid to his mother Emily A.

 Also dated for Sept 1919 is a War Gratuity, of £15-10s-0d. This has also been paid to his mother, Emily A (Ada).

I think that £1 in 1918 = £150 Approx at today value. Although on the internet there are various ways stated of trying to assess this value; apparently it will vary due to what or whose criteria are used as the bench mark. But if the figure is used above, his mother would have received about £1500 for Joseph’s credits and £2300’ish from the gratuity. This is not a lot by today’s values, especially for one’s only child. After all, no amount of money can replace a child, but someone must have put the system in place, which is how it was.

On the same page is a reference to another soldier of the 11th battalion the Leicester regiment. He is CSM  P. Stabler (DCM). It states that he died of wounds in France 28-3-18. Which is approximately 6 days after Joseph was killed. Their unit were possibly repairing trenches or other works near each other. Apparently, about that date, the Germans commenced operation Michael. Their Leicester battalion, along with others, became involved with a fierce fire fight with “Storm troopers” who were crack German soldiers which would lead to his death. His battalion were “Pioneers”, soldiers whose prime function was to repair and build the trench system fortifications. They were not meant to hold the line but, on occasions they could, and did! His battalion paid a very high price for being caught up in what was the last major offensive by the Germans in 1918. The following summer the British Army commenced their own offensive which would lead to the end of hostilities during November 1918.

 

By John Pownall
On 29/05/2015

Joseph Ernest Turner.

I recently noticed that one of the well known history sites, have listed in their catalogue a digitized record of “Soldiers effects”. This record is only for soldiers who died in WW1. I had made the common error of thinking that it would be a list of personal belongings and items recovered from the soldiers after their death. Instead it is a register of the final amounts owed by the government/army to the next of kin.

There are two amounts of money dispensed. The first is listed as “Credit”. The amount stated in his case is £9-6s-4d. This has been authorised and paid to his mother Emily A.

 Also dated for Sept 1919 is a War Gratuity, of £15-10s-0d. This has also been paid to his mother, Emily A (Ada).

I think that £1 in 1918 = £150 Approx at today value. Although on the internet there are various ways stated of trying to assess this value; apparently it will vary due to what or whose criteria are used as the bench mark. But if the figure is used above, his mother would have received about £1500 for Joseph’s credits and £2300’ish from the gratuity. This is not a lot by today’s values, especially for one’s only child. After all, no amount of money can replace a child, but someone must have put the system in place, which is how it was.

On the same page is a reference to another soldier of the 11th battalion the Leicester regiment. He is CSM  P. Stabler (DCM). It states that he died of wounds in France 28-3-18. Which is approximately 6 days after Joseph was killed. Their unit were possibly repairing trenches or other works near each other. Apparently, about that date, the Germans commenced operation Michael. Their Leicester battalion, along with others, became involved with a fierce fire fight with “Storm troopers” who were crack German soldiers which would lead to his death. His battalion were “Pioneers”, soldiers whose prime function was to repair and build the trench system fortifications. They were not meant to hold the line but, on occasions they could, and did! His battalion paid a very high price for being caught up in what was the last major offensive by the Germans in 1918. The following summer the British Army commenced their own offensive which would lead to the end of hostilities during November 1918.

 

By John Pownall
On 29/05/2015
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