Capt Arthur de Bells Adam (MC)
1885 - 1916

CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916

Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916

Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916

Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918

Lance Serjeant 24879 George Robert Turner

Age: 25
From: Liverpool
Regiment: 1st Kings
Died on Sunday 10th June 1917
Commemorated at: Cologne South Cem Germany
Panel Ref: II.D.7

George Robert Turner was born on the 30th January 1891 in Everton the son of Charles Turner and his wife Eleanor Ann (née Graham) who were married on the 06th June 1886 at St George's Church, Everton. Charles was a 27 year old confectioner of 299 Breck Road, his father, Jesse, a licensed victualler, whilst Eleanor was aged 23, a confectioner of 115 Hartnup Street, father Robert a ship’s captain.

He was baptised also in St. George's Church, Everton, on the 15th March 1891, his parents’ residence 76 Breck Road, and his father’s occupation confectioner.

On the 1891 census, George is two months old, his family living at 76 Breck Road, Anfield, his father, 31, a confectioner, his mother 28, sister Jessie is 3 and brother Charles 1.

The 1901 Census shows the family are living at 57 Greenwich Road, Walton. George is living with his mother and father and 3 siblings. His father Charles is shown as a Caretaker born in Liverpool in 1859. His mother Eleanor was born in Liverpool in 1864. His siblings are; Jessie Ella b.1888, Charles William. b.1890 and Frank b.1896.

George was educated at Longmoor Lane School.

The 1911 Census finds the family now at 26 Poulter Road, Aintree, however there is no sign of George in the household. There is a record of a George Robert Turner born in Liverpool in 1891 employed as a Hospital Porter at an address merely given as Fazakerley, Liverpool, this was at the time an Infectious Diseases Hospital and the relationship is shown to be servant. He is one of 18 servants with various occupations such as Laundrymaid, wardmaid etc. Additionally there are 12 patients listed so it is probable that it is the hospital now known as Aintree Hospital, formerly Fazakerley Hospital.

His brother Charles was badly injured at work as described in the Liverpool Echo on Thursday 04th April 1912;

SHUNTER INJURED.

Charles Turner aged twenty two, living at 26. Poulter road, a shunter in the employ of Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company, met with a serious accident at work shortly after five o'clock this morning. In some way, at present unknown, one of his legs was severely crushed. He was taken to the Northern Hospital and his leg was amputated.

George enlisted in Liverpool and joined the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment with the service number of 24879. His service records haven't survived but we know that at some point he transferred to the 1st Battalion of the Kings Liverpool Regiment. He was taken as a Prisoner of War on an unknown date and died of his wounds (gunshot wound to the thigh) on 10th June 1917, aged 26.

George died in hospital at the Diakonenanstalt (Institute for Diaconal Studies) in Duisburg (on the Rhine). He was buried by the Germans in Duisburg Town Cemetery, Section II, grave 22. German POW records, held by the International Red Cross, show George Turner, L/Sgt 30/34879, 3 K.L.Rgt ’M’ Coy, died at Res.Laz. Diakonenanstalt, Duisburg. As no service records exist for George Turner 34879, and Soldiers’ Effects shows his place of death as Duisburg, this is certainly George.

In 1922 it was decided to concentrate the graves of servicemen who had died in Germany into four cemeteries at Kassel, Berlin, Hamburg. and Cologne. Over the course of the following year graves were transferred to Cologne Southern Cemetery from over 180 different burial sites, including 35 burials from Duisburg Town Cemetery.

George now rests at Cologne Southern Cemetery where his headstone bears the epitaph:

"BELOVED SON OF CHARLES & ELEANOR TURNER OF AINTREE LIVERPOOL".

His parents placed a notice in the Liverpool Echo on 7th August 1917:

“June 10, who died of wounds whilst prisoner of war in Germany, aged 26 years, Lance-Sergeant George Robert Turner (K.L.R.), the dearly-beloved second son of Charles and Eleanor Turner, 26 Poulter Road, Aintree, and grandson of the late Capt. Robert Graham and Mrs. Graham, of this city.

Until we meet again before His throne,

Clothed in the spotless robe He gives His own;

Until we know even as we are known.

Good night.

Deeply regretted by all at home.”

(This quotation is the last verse of a hymn, Sleep on beloved.)

His father received George’s Army effects, Army Pay of £10 12s 11d, a War Gratuity of £11-10s, and he and his wife Eleanor received his pension of 7/- pw. (later transferred to brother Charles, 3 Lonsdale Road).

In Memoriam notices were placed in the newspaper on the first anniversary of his death:

“In sad but loving memory of Sergt. George Robert Turner, …

Just a little while and we shall meet

Our loved one gone before,

When we shall clasp his hand again

On yonder radiant shore.

Those happy hours with him enjoyed

How sweet their memories cling,

No morning dawns, no night returns,

But what we think of him.

Deeply mourned by Mother and Father, 26 Poulter Road. Aintree.”

“In loving memory of my dear brother …

God knows the way, He holds the key,

He guides us with unerring hand;

Sometime with tearless eyes we’ll see

Yes there, up there, we’ll understand.

His affectionate Sister Jessie.”

“In fond remembrance of my dear brother, Sergeant George Robert Turner … Also my chum Private W. Coy, K.L.R., killed in action March 1, 1916.

They nobly rose to their country’s call,

They gave their lives, their best, their all.

Frank.”

(This appears to be Private William John Coy, 4923, 10th K.L.R., of Aintree, who died 29/2/1916.)

“In memory of Sergeant George Turner, who died of wounds June 10, 1917. - Ever remembered by Nancy and all at 26 Wyresdale Road.”

“In memory of Sergeant George Robert Turner, K.L.R., who died of wounds June 10, 1917, in Germany. - (In God’s keeping.) Faithful friend to M.B.”

His family paid tribute to George in the Liverpool Weekly Courier on Saturday 11 June 1919:

“In loving memory of my dear brother Lance-Sergt George Robert, who died of wounds at Duisburg, Germany, June 10, 1917. (Fondly remembered by Will, Ethel and children).”

Also in the Liverpool Weekly Courier on Saturday 31 January 1920:

TURNER - Jan 30 In loving birthday remembrances of our dear son, Lance-Sergt George, 1st King’s Liverpool (late Pals), who died of wounds in Germany, June 10, 1917.

Shall we meet with many a loved one

That was torn from our embrace,

Shall we listen to their voices

And behold them face to face?

- Fondly remembered by mother and father and family, 26 Poulter Road, Aintree.

George is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Longmoor Lane School, Liverpool.

St. John the Evangelist Church, Walton.

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

Killed On This Day.

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
L/Cpl 29203 Valentine Alexander
26 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 27948 Joseph Atherton
26 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 51896 Richard Edward Banks
34 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 46630 Watson Bell
38 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Lieut Roland Henry Brewerton
27 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 51708 Charles Norman Dod
21 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
L/Cpl 94246 Frank Emison
24 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 23056 John William Jones
27 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 49572 John Henry Leadbeater (MM)
27 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Sgt 22462 James Lowe (MID)
25 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 51712 Edgar Domenico Murray
21 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 269899 Harry Pitts
21 years old

A total of 14 Pals were killed on this day. View All