At Komati River, November 7, 1900, when the Canadians did such splendid work—as, indeed, they did throughout the whole of their South African service—Lieutenant Turner's conduct was particularly noticeable, especially when the Boers made a most determined attack upon the guns, very nearly succeeding in capturing them. Although he had been twice wounded earlier in the day, Lieutenant Turner dismounted, deployed his men at close quarters, repelled and finally repulsed the Boers, and it was to the courageous initiative and splendid handling of the gallant men by himself and Lieutenant Cockburn (V.C.), and the brave conduct of Sergeant Holland (V.C.) (to whom reference is made elsewhere), that the saving of the guns was chiefly due.

    Son of Richard Turner, Esq., of Quebec, where he was born on July 25. 1871, Colonel Turner entered the Queen's Own Canadian Hussars on April 22, 1892. The senior officers under whom the Cross was gained were Major General Smith-Dorrien and Colonel Lissard, C.B. Possesses the Coronation Medal in addition to that for South Africa (Queen's) with six clasps. The Cross was presented to him by H.R.H. the Prince of Wales at Quebec during His Royal Highness's visit to the Dominion in 1902. Three times " named " in despatches, and severely wounded.

Boer War VC index page