Skip to content
Back to search results

Serjeant HANSON VICTOR TURNER

Service Number: 4624899
Regiment & Unit/Ship

West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)

1st Bn.

Date of Death

Died 07 June 1944

Age 33 years old

Buried or commemorated at

IMPHAL WAR CEMETERY

6. B. 7.

India

Commonwealth War Graves Commission - Headstone Placeholder
  • Country of Service United Kingdom
  • Awards Victoria Cross
  • Additional Info Son of James Herbert and Alice Turner; husband of Edith Turner, of Copley, Halifax, Yorkshire.
  • Personal Inscription "WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT" EVER REMEMBERED
  • Additional Citation note

    The citation in the London Gazette of the 15th August, 1944, gives the following details:- In Burma, at Ningthoukong on the night of 6th-7th June, 1944, an attack was made by Japanese with medium and light machine guns. The attack largely fell on the position held by a platoon of which Serjeant Turner was one of the Section Commanders. The enemy were able to use grenades with deadly effect. Three machine-guns in the platoon were destroyed and the platoon was forced to give ground. Serjeant Turner with coolness and fine leadership reorganised his party and with a doggedness and spirit of endurance of the highest order repelled all attacks. The position was held throughout the night. When it was clear that the Japanese were attempting to outflank the position, Serjeant Turner, armed with grenades, boldly and fearlessly attacked them single handed. He went back five times for more grenades; and on the sixth occasion, still singlehanded, he was killed while throwing a grenade among the enemy. His conduct on that night will ever be remembered by the Regiment. His superb leadership and undaunted will to win in the early stages of the attack was undoubtedly instrumental in preventing the enemy plan from succeeding. The number of enemy found dead the next morning was ample evidence of the effect his grenade throwing had had. He displayed outstanding valour and had not the slightest thought of his own safety. He died on the battlefield in a spirit of supreme self-sacrifice.

FOR EVERMORE: STORIES OF THE FALLEN
FOR EVERMORE: STORIES OF THE FALLEN

Introducing For Evermore: Stories of the Fallen - the exciting new way to read and share stories of the Commonwealth's war dead. Got a story to share? Upload it and preserve their memory for generations to come.

Share and read stories
Download certificate

Buried or commemorated at