Description
Queen’s South Africa, bar Transvaal, King’s South Africa, 2 bars, SA 1901, SA 1902, 3656 Private Abraham Albert Turner, 11th Hussars.
QSA officially impressed: “3656 Pte A. Turner. 6th Dragoon Gds:”
KSA officially impressed: “3656 Corpl A.A. Turner 6th Drgn: Gds.”
Confirmed on the medal roll.
Served in the Boer War on attachment to the 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers) and later with the No 2 Remount Department.
Also earned a later issued “Cape Colony” and “Orange Free State” clasps for further service with the NO 2 Remount Department, medal rolls confirm “Medal and Clasp Transvaal issued” already by that time so they were never attached.
Good condition.
Private Abraham Albert Turner, was a Cavalryman of the 11th Hussars, who served during the Boer War on attachment to the 6th Dragoon Guards.
Born Circa 1872 in Sutton, Kent, First enlisted on 22nd May 1891, with the 9th Lancers, having been a member of the 3rd Militia Battalion East Surrey Regiment.
Papers note: Promoted by Commander in Chief in South Africa, Corporal, 26th January 1902.
Kitcheners Despatches recall: “ERNELO DISTRICT, 11th Hussars, Private C. Turner, Promoted Corporal, called on by 2 Boers to surrender, rushed at them and captured both.”
The Mention in Despatches was then announced in the London Gazette on 25th April 1902.
However having enjoyed his new Rank of Corporal for close to a year he had a fall from grace when on 8th December 1902 he was arrested: “Tried and Convicted by Regimental Court Martial of Conduct to the prejudice of good order etc and sentenced to be reduced to the ranks.”
He finished out his service as a Private, discharged on 22nd May 1903.
Personal Life etc:
Although he was said to be born in 1872 on enlistment, he was in fact born on 29th November 1869 in Hawley, Dartford, Kent. Son of John Turner (1832-1904) and Emma Matila Stevens (1830-1883).
Grew up in Sutton on Home, Kent, prior to enlistment. After the war he returned home and married Rose Tapley in July 1903, Dartford Kent.
In 1911 he lived in West Ham, Essex, with his wife and Son, working as a Capstan Lathe Operator in Rubber Works, Engineering.
In 1939 he lived in Bexley, Kent shown as a “Foreman Engineer (Practical). He died in Dartford, Kent, 20th October 1949.