Pte 21637 Richard Turner

• Age: 20
• From: Seaforth, Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• D.O.W Thursday 7th December 1916
• Commemorated at: West Derby Cem Liverpool
  Panel Ref: VII.CE.1310

Richard Turner was born in Walton, Liverpool on 28th June 1896 and baptised on 22^nd July 1896 at St Mary’s Church, Walton on the Hill, the son of Robert Frank Turner and his wife Frances (nee Jarvis) who were married on the 20^th December 1887 also at St Mary’s Church, Walton, Liverpool.

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 11 Sandon Street, Waterloo. Richard is 4 nyears of age and llives with his parents and three siblings. His father, Robert, is a 37 year old born in Liverpool and his occupation is recerded as ships counter off, whilst his mother, Frances, is 39 years of age, also born in Liverpool. His elder brother Frank is 9 years of age and like RIchard was born in Walton, whilst his two younger siblings were born in Waterloo. Alison aged 2 and new born Ernest.  

The 1911 Census shows the family now living at 42 Oxford Road, Waterloo. Both parents are resident in the household, they advised that they had been married for 23 years and have had seven children of whom five have survived. Richard is 14 and still at school, whilst his siblings are listed as; Frank now aged 19 and a provisions clerk, Alison aged 12 is a scholar and Malcolm aged 4 who was born in Waterloo in 1907.

Richard was educated at Merchant Taylors' school Crosby. He joined the school on 15th September 1909 and was made a Harrison Scholar. In 1911 he gained a Pass in the Oxford Local Exams, a performance that he repeated in the senior exams before leaving the school on 31st July 1912. Upon leaving school he began work in an insurance office. 

Prior to enlisting Richard had been employed by The State Insurance Company within their head office.

He enlisted in Liverpool on 11th September 1914 joining the 19^th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 21637.

Formed on 07^th September 1914 the 19^th Battalion trained locally at Sefton Park and remained living at home or in rented accommodation until November 1914. They then moved to the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

He was badly wounded on 30th July 1916  during the attack at Guillemont. 

He died of septic poisoning due to his wounds on the 07^th December, 1916 at the Royal Herbert Hospital, Woolwich aged 20.

He was buried with full Military Honours on 12th December 1916 in West Derby Cemetery, Liverpool.

There are 111 Commonwealth burials of the 1914-1918 war and 129 of the 1939-1945 war here. Those whose graves are not marked by headstones are named on 2 denominational Screen Wall memorials. The graves are scattered throughout the cemetery in denominational plots. There are also 2 Foreign National war burials.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on 11th December 1916:

DIED OF WOUNDS

Private Richard Turner KLR – He was the second son of Mr and Mrs R F Turner of Seaforth and was educated at Christ Church Schools, Waterloo and the Merchant Taylors School, Great Crosby.  Formerly was employed by the State Insurance Company, Dale Street, Liverpool.

At the annual meeting of the State Assurance Company in Liverpool, reported in the Liverpool Daily Post on 1st May 1917, the names of employees who had fallen in action are commemorated:

From the staff at Head office, King’s Liverpool Regiment -

Richard is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 37 

Litherland Civic Memorial

Christ Church Waterloo

Merchant Taylors' School 

State Insurance Company 

We currently have no further information on Richard Turner, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.