TURNER, RICHARD ERNEST WILLIAM
Lieutenant, Royal Canadian Dragoons. The official notice in the London
Gazette of 23 April, 1901, reads: "Date of Act of Bravery: 7 November 1900.
Later in the day, when the Boers again threatened seriously to capture the
guns, Lieutenant Turner, although twice previously wounded, dismounted and
deployed his men at close quarters, and drove off the Boers, thus saving the
guns". Richard Ernest William Turner was born 25 July, 1871, the eldest son
of Richard Turner, MLC. He was educated at Quebec, Canada, and entered
the Royal Canadian Dragoons, serving as a Lieutenant with that regiment in
the South African War of 1899-1902. He won the Victoria Cross, together
with Lieutenant Cockburn and Sergeant Holland, for actions of the most
devoted heroism. He was three times mentioned in Despatches, given the
Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel, and created a Companion of the Distinguished
Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April, 1901]: “Richard Ernest William
Turner, Lieutenant, Royal Canadian Dragoons", and received the Queen's Medal
with six clasps for his services in this campaign. In 1900 he married
Harriet Augusta, eldest daughter of Horace George Gooday, of London. They
had one son and one daughter. He was in command of the Canadian Brigade of
Infantry in the European War in 1914; has been mentioned in Despatches, and
created a CB and a KCMG (1917). Major-General Sir R E W Turner was recalled
to England in 1917 and appointed General Officer commanding the Canadian
Forces in Great Britain.
See his
DSO entry.
