Military History

Embarked HMAT ‘Ulysses’ to Suez.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 15th Reinf, 16th Battalion.
Turner disembarked in Egypt 2.4.1916. He transferred to the Cyclist Corps 18.5.1916. At Alexandria, he joined the BEF and embarked per HMAT ’Britton’ for Plymouth 7.9.1916. He marched in to the 1st Divisional Base at Etaples 11.9.1916, here he transferred from the 11th Training Bn. (Cycling Training Corps) to the 51st Bn. 8.11.1916. The 51st Bn. fought in the advance on the Hindenburg Line in early 1917, then at Ypres, Messines and Polygon Wood later that year. Turner was admitted to hospital with pyrexia (fever of unknown origin) 7.3.1918. He was invalided to the UK per ‘Pietre de Connick’ and admitted to Hospital with Rheumatism 15.3.1918. He returned to France 22.15.1918 and rejoined his Unit 31.5.1918. He was appointed Driver 18.1.1919. His unit was evacuated for return to Australia 29.1.1919. He marched into Havre for embarkation to England 10.2.1919. Turner disembarked at Weymouth for demobilization and return to Australia.
Embarked per ‘Commonwealth’ for return to Australia 13.4.1919.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 4.6.1919.
Discharged 19.7.1919.
Final Rank Private, 51st Bn. AIF.
Medical Condition. NK (Rheumatism)
Awards and Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Photos HMAT 'Ulysses'. Photographer P.E.F. Schuler, photograph sourced AWM PS0154
             Australian Soldiers travelling to Messines Ridge June 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E00475
             Messines Ridge 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E01290
             Stretcher bearers passing through a cemetery at Polygon Wood 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E01912

Information Source
AWM PS0154. HMAT 'Ulysses'. Photographer P.E.F. Schuler, photograph sourced  from the Pictorial Collection of the Austrain War Memorial
AWM E00475. Australian Soldiers travelling to Messines Ridge June 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E01290. Messines Ridge 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/E01290/
AWM E01912. Stretcher bearers passing through a cemetery at Polygon Wood 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of th Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll Walter Thomas Turner
NAA: B2455, Turner W T
St Matthew’s Honour Roll
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA

9 Ethel Street, Guildford, WA.
60 East Street, Guildford, WA. (brother)

Associated Images