William Henry "Bill" Turton (1872-1951?)
Bandsman and stretcher bearer for 1st/6th DLI, born in Middleton Saint George
Bill Turton joined the Durham Light Infantry as a bandsman in 1912. Unfortunately, we have no record of what instrument he played. Bandsmen often played a secondary role as stretcher bearers. The following condolence letter extract, which mentions Bill’s actions, gives an idea of the dangers that the stretcher bearers ran:
“Willie as unselfish as he was moved nearer to the corner of a traverse to allow some of the Buffs [East Kent Regiment] room to get cover and left himself exposed, hardly had he done so than a bullet entered his breast, into his heart. The stretcher bearer, Bill Turton (who bye [sic] the way is the finest chap who I have ever met and who has never shirked a duty since he came out,) ran through the hail of bullets to his assistance but could do no good although he knelt in the open trying to adjust a bandage to stem the flow of blood. If he could have been saved, Turton would done it [sic]. God’s will be done.”
D/DLI 7/10/6 (Letter of condolence written to Mrs Williamson on the death of her brother, Willie Allison. Written some time after 27 May 1915.)
Civil Parish: Auckland St. Andrew
Birth date: 1872
Death date: 1951
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: Middleton Saint George, near Darlington (Army pension records)
Foundary Cottages, Merrington Lane, Near Spennymoor (1901 census)
Main Street, South Church, Bishop Auckland (1911 census)
Employment: Coal miner, stoneman (1911 census)
Family: Wife: Mary Isabella Turton
Children: Alice Turton, Jane Ann Turton (1901 and 1911 census)
Military service:
Joined up 21 May 1912
6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry
Bandsman
Gender: Male
Contributed by Durham County Record Office
