Michael Turner (1888-)
Willington man served with Royal Army Service Corps
Michael Turner was born in 1888, the third son of Michael and Annie Turner of Willington. In the 1911 census Michael, aged 23, was a live-in green grocer assistant at Josiah Hateley’s shop at 16 Commercial Street, Willington. This is quite unusual as his brothers were all coal miners. By this time their parents had both died and the family were probably under financial pressure, making a live-in job attractive. However, by the time he enlisted in May 1915, although his address is still the grocer’s shop, he gives his occupation as horseman. In his army record he is said to be a potato dealer.
His enlistment documents show that he was a private in the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC). In his photograph he is wearing spurs and his service record shows that he was with a remount squadron. This is also indicated by the R in front of his service number R4/091449. These units sourced and trained army horses, which fits with his declared occupation.
Michael was immediately sent to France, disembarking at Rouen. He received a gun-shot wound in the head in October 1917 and was treated at Edinburgh War Hospital. The wound affected his sight, resulting in a squint in his right eye. However, after four months, he was transferred to the 16th Reserve Lancers at the Curragh in Ireland and in November 1918 to the Remounts centre at Shirehampton. He was eventually discharged with a disability pension in April 1919.
Civil Parish: Willington
Birth date: 1888
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: 53 Railway Terrace, Willington (1901 census)
16 Commercial Street, Willington (1911 census)
Family: Siblings: Mary A Turner, Emily M Turner, Thomas Turner, William Turner, George Turner, Annie Turner, Sarah Turner (1901 census)
Gender: Male
Contributed by JLP, Barnard Castle
