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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 711

Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant

The fine Great War M.S.M. and Long Service group of four awarded to Warrant Officer Class II (Company Sergeant-Major) F. W. Turner, Army Gymnastic Staff, late Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, who was additionally twice 'mentioned' and whose son went on to be a gallant and highly-decorated member of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War

British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oakleaves (6299 A.W.O. Cl. 2. F.W. Turner. D.C.L.I.); Meritorious Service Medal, Army, G.V.R. (395 C.S.Mjr Instr: F.W. Turner. A.G.S.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (6299 Sjt (A.W.O. Cl. II.) F.W. Turner. D. of Corn. L.I.), a few very light contact marks, otherwise very fine (4)

M.S.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919.

Frederick William Turner was born in Purfleet, Essex, in 1882 and attested for service with the British Army on 19 March 1900. Joining the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, Turner was clearly a steady and reliable soldier: within only seven months he had been appointed Lance-Corporal and rose steadily through the ranks to be promoted Sergeant in February 1910. Going with the regiment to Ceylon and South Africa, he appears to have then spent a number of years 'at home' and embarked on several of courses of instruction: these qualified him as both a Musketry and Physical Training Instructor. His passion for 'P.T.' led him to transfer to the Army Gymnastic Staff, for which service he received the Meritorious Service Medal and was twice 'Mentioned' in the despatches of Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig.

In October 1910 he married Marguerite Agnes McNamara at Waltham Abbey, Essex; a year later they welcomed a son, Reginald Thomas Frederick, who ended the Second World War as a Wing Commander in the Royal Air Force with a unique combination of gallantry awards for many impressive acts of bravery - namely the Military Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Distinguished Flying Cross (United States of America); his medals were sold in these Rooms on 20 July 2023 for £36,000.

Sold with a most interesting original archive comprising:

(i).
The recipient's 'Small Book', bound in canvas and containing many completed and annotated pages relating to his military career.

(ii).
Turner's Warrant appointing him a Warrant Officer Class II in the Regular Forces, completed in ink in all relevant places.

(iii).
The recipient's 'First Army Musketry Camp' Examination Certificate, in which he obtained a glowing report and scored 462 marks out of a possible 500 total.

(iv).
The recipient's Qualification Certificate in Military Subjects for the rank of Corporal, dated 6 June 1902.

(v).
His Physical Training Certificate, completed where relevant and certifying Turner competent to be an Instructor in the Army System of Physical Training.

(vi).
The recipient's Character and Discharge certificates, both complete, with the former stating him as 'Excellent' and providing further positive comments on his military career of exactly 21 years' duration.

(vii).
Two Mention-in-Despatches certificates, both complete and dated 7 April 1918 and 8 November 1918 respectively.

(viii).
Two sporting 'fob-style' medallions, hallmarked silver with gold centres, engraved 'Sgt. F. Turner'; '1911'; 'Bowles Shooting Shield 1910' and 'Sgt. F. Turner, Hammans Cup' to the obverse and reverse respectively.

Further sold with copied Medal Roll extracts and a London Gazette entry.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£350

Starting price
£300