150th_Supplement

Newbury Weekly News - 150th Anniversary

Newbury Weekly News

Thursday, 2 March, 2017

War stories from the Newbury Weekly News Four sons at war MR JOHN Fox, a well- known Newbury tailor, is proud of the fact that all his four sons are on service, and has reason to be also proud of their patriotic record (April 27, 1916). One of them, Edward, has been a prisoner in Germany for 18 months. Another, Corporal CR Fox, of the Royal Berks, has been twice wounded in action, and has now been discharged from the Army. He has done 10 years, and went through most of the serious fighting in France. A third son, AJ, has had a rapid run of promotion. He December, 1914; Colour sergeant, January; Staff Sergeant Major, July 1915. He has just been granted a commission as second lieu- tenant and posted to the 6th battalion of the Royal Berks. He has been home on Easter leave. Soldiers up for a scrap had been in civil occupation in France and had a good knowledge of the language. At the outbreak of war he enlisted as an interpreter and was appointed requisition and supply officer in the ASC. His promotions came rapidly. Lance Corporal, October; Corporal; November, 1914; Sergeant,

1915: “If a VC was ever earned, it was by him”

“When his comrades reached him, 200 yards further along the trench, it was only to find that a German bomb had finally found its mark.” Alexander died from his wounds three days later on October 1, aged 22. A letter in the NWN from Cpl W Hawkings, published shortly after

though they fought, the regimental bombers could not stem the flood, and their colonel called down the trenches for an officer to advance to clear the way. “His appeal was soon answered – in the British Army, the occasion will always find the man. “Second-Lt Turner at once came

A YOUNG officer from Thatcham was awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry during the First World War. Second Lieutenant Alexander Buller Turner had military blood coursing through his veins as his grandfather was Admiral Sir Alexander Buller GCB, commander in chief of the Royal Navy’s China Station in 1895 and who presided over the Far Eastern Crisis of 1897/98. The lieutenant was the eldest son of Major Charles Turner, and the family moved to Thatcham House, in Turners Drive, in 1902. Alexander was educated at Parkside, Ewell, and Wellington College, and shortly after war broke out, he joined the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Berkshire Regiment. He was sent to France, attached to the 1st Battalion in June 1915. Turner sustained a head wound from a sniper on August 12, and, after recuperation at home, returned to duty on September 7. Later that month, the 1st Battalion were involved in the Battle of Loos, on the La Bassée railway in a great slagheap known as Fosse 8. A brigade of the Scottish 9th Divi-

the attack said: “Lt Turner got right up on the German parapet, stood up and hurled bombs at them as fast as ever he could. “A pluckier deed I never saw. I am proud to have served under such an officer, and I know Thatcham will be proud of him.” Col Carter, who led the rearguard action, said: “His

forward, and, stopping only to pick up a bag of grenades, made his way along Slag Alley towards the Germans. “Calmly he walked straight into that hell of shrieking splinters, and threw bomb after bomb into the press of the Germans. “For a time they held their ground and hurled back bomb for bomb, but they could not kill this tireless

cheap second-hand set for sale? “If so I should be greatly indebted. The local tradesmen are demanding fabulous sums for games, and as they will become useless when we go back to the trenches, I would much rather have a second-hand set. “I have several Newburians in my platoon, and they are quite happy and fit, and enjoying their rest immensely during the fine weather.”

SECOND Lieutenant AJ Fox of the 6th Berks BEF (see above) writes (May 11, 1916): “My platoon is at present resting away from the noise of the guns. “I would very much like them to have as many sports as possible while they are in rest – I have been able to fit them up well with the exception of a set of boxing gloves. “Could you put me on the track of anyone with a

sion had reached the foot of Fosse 8 on September 25, but the Germans counter-attacked the same evening and fierce fighting ensued. On the morning of September 28, German bombers– men armed with hand grenades – attacked and Lt Price Lloyd of the Welsh Regiment recalled: “Gallantly Second Lieutenant Alexander Buller Turner and, right, his V ictoria Cross

Englishman. Man after man of them fell, and the remnant began to retreat.

action saved us a loss of from 200 to 300 men, and I was able to order an immediate advance at a time when every minute’s delay was a serious matter.” An account from another private said: “If a VC was ever earned, it was by him.”

“Turner gave them no respite, but up the deep trench, littered with fallen earth and the horrible debris of battle, he followed them swiftly, flinging his deadly bombs before him as he went.