Turner, John (1895 - 1918)

Second Lieutenant, 2nd Bn. Tank Corps

Buried at Niederzwehren Cemetery, Kassel

Commemorated at Hillhead High School

Second Lieutenant Jack Turner was the younger son of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Turner, 27 Park Drive, South, Whiteinch. Jack was a bright, lively spirit, full of fun, and bubbling over with happiness. He is still vividly remembered in School by all his teachers. Like so many more Hillhead High School boys, he was an active member of the First Glasgow Group of Boy Scouts, and rose to be patrol leader of the Kangaroos. From 1907 to 1910 he was attached to the 34th Company, Boys' Brigade, and was soon promoted corporal. At School he
took a keen interest in Rugby, and on leaving he joined the Former Pupils' section, playing regularly for the 2nd XV.

After gaining an introduction to naval architecture in the service of the British Corporation for the Registry of Shipping, he entered Messrs. Barclay, CurIe & Co.'s yard for practical training. He was mobilised in August, 1914, with the 16th H.L.I., and afterwards went with his battalion overseas. He came safely through the dangers, hardships, and privations of the Gallipoli campaign, and shaped also in the heavy fighting in the Sinai desert. He was recommended for a commission, and on account of his practical training was gazetted to the Tank Corps.

He was only a few days in France when the great German drive on the Somme began. There the tanks played a great part, and it was largely through their self-sacrifice and that of the artillery that the infantry were given time to retire. In the fighting on the 22nd March,
1918, Lieut. Turner's tank was seen to be struck by a shell, but nothing was known of the fate of its commander and crew. A month later intimation was received that Lieut. Turner had died at Cassel, Germany, on the 12th April, of wounds received in action on
the 22nd March.

Although he passed away on foreign soil, doubtless some kindly Scots would be with him at the last to comfort and console.