Person

In late 1917, William and Mary Turner, who were then living in Bensham, were informed that their son, Frederick, had died, aged 31 years, whilst serving with the Northumberland Fusiliers on the Western Front. In fact, Private Turner had, after a court martial, been sentenced to death for desertion and had been executed.

Sadly, little is yet known about this soldier, as his service papers have not survived. From the records that have survived, however, 6/4871 (later 266120) Private Turner enlisted in the 6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers in Newcastle, where this Territorial battalion had its headquarters. 6 NF served on the Western Front from April 1915, but Private Turner did not join his battalion until 1916. He then saw action and was wounded in September 1916.

In August 1917, Private Turner abandoned his equipment and left his reserve trench near Arras. He was arrested six days later but escaped only to be re-arrested in a first class compartment of a train going to Calais. At his court martial, Frederick Turner said that he was suffering from depression and had had no leave for 20 months. This defence was, however, rejected by the court.

Frederick Turner was executed on 23 October 1917. He is buried in Bedford House Cemetery, Ypres, in the care of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

As Frederick Turner had been executed for desertion, no campaign medals were sent to his parents in Bensham.

Where to look for more information about this person:

Julian Putkowski & Julian Sykes, Shot at Dawn (Barnsley, 1998), pp. 236-237.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/484953/TURNER,%20FREDERICK

North East War Memorials Project
http://www.newmp.org.uk/detail.php?contentId=6335

http://www.newmp.org.uk/article.php?categoryid=99&articleid=1238&displayorder=3

Civil Parish: Gateshead

Birth date: 1886

Death date: 23-Oct-1917

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: 62 First Street, Bensham, Gateshead.

Family: Parents; William and Mary Turner.

Military service:

6/4871, later 266120, Private Frederick Turner, 6th (Territorial) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers.

Medal(s): As he had been executed, the British War Medal and Victory Medal were not sent to his parents.

Memorial(s): Bedford House Cemetery, Ypres.
Memorial Plaque. St Cuthbert’s Church, Bensham.

Gender: Male

Contributed by Durham County Record Office | Durham at War Volunteer