SergeantJames Y. Turnbull, V.C.It has been said of James Turnbull that he began to win his V.C. at Troon. He was a born leader, and always a fearless champion of fairplay. He towered above the average man in strength of character as he did in stature, and he was always the same unassuming and genial "Jimmy." He was a fitting embodiment of the ideals of the Seventeenth. A big man for a big occasion—and the big occasion came along on the 1st of July, 1916.The position of the Battalion was that of a wedge driven against the iron of impregnability, and the driving force suddenly withdrawn. At the thin end of the wedge Sergeant Turnbull, with a handful of men, performed prodigies of valour. From three sides enemy machine guns swept the position, snipers took deadly toll, and bombing attacks were constantly launched. Exposure meant almost certain death. The position was not only desperate; it was hopeless. Yet it was necessary to hold on till nightfall. It was aman'sjob, and Turnbull filled the bill. He shouldered the responsibility as only a strong man could; and he organised the defence. He had to take countless risks, and was always where the fighting was fiercest. He was the indomitable leader and inspiring example. Wounded, he carried on till his last risk was taken, and he met a soldier's death towards the end of that fateful summer day.Of a band of heroes he was the beloved leader and super-hero.
SergeantJames Y. Turnbull, V.C.
It has been said of James Turnbull that he began to win his V.C. at Troon. He was a born leader, and always a fearless champion of fairplay. He towered above the average man in strength of character as he did in stature, and he was always the same unassuming and genial "Jimmy." He was a fitting embodiment of the ideals of the Seventeenth. A big man for a big occasion—and the big occasion came along on the 1st of July, 1916.
The position of the Battalion was that of a wedge driven against the iron of impregnability, and the driving force suddenly withdrawn. At the thin end of the wedge Sergeant Turnbull, with a handful of men, performed prodigies of valour. From three sides enemy machine guns swept the position, snipers took deadly toll, and bombing attacks were constantly launched. Exposure meant almost certain death. The position was not only desperate; it was hopeless. Yet it was necessary to hold on till nightfall. It was aman'sjob, and Turnbull filled the bill. He shouldered the responsibility as only a strong man could; and he organised the defence. He had to take countless risks, and was always where the fighting was fiercest. He was the indomitable leader and inspiring example. Wounded, he carried on till his last risk was taken, and he met a soldier's death towards the end of that fateful summer day.
Of a band of heroes he was the beloved leader and super-hero.
Extract fromThe London Gazette, dated 3/6/16."To be additional member of the Third Class or Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George."Lieut.-Colonel D.S. Morton, V.D."
Extract fromThe London Gazette, dated 3/6/16.
"To be additional member of the Third Class or Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George.
"Lieut.-Colonel D.S. Morton, V.D."
Date ofGazette†Lieut.A.J. Begg,30/5/162nd Lieut.J.L. Brodie,26/5/17†2nd Lieut.J.N. Carpenter,30/5/16Lieut.A.N. Drysdale,13/2/17Capt.F.E. Dunsmuir,1/1/18Lieut.J.L. M'Connell,17/9/172nd Lieut.W.M. Martin,26/5/17Major G.R.S. Paterson,26/9/16†Capt.Jas. Russell,1/1/17Capt.J.D. Russell,26/5/172nd Lieut.D.G. Thorburn,18/6/1715214 R.Q.-M.S.W. Dunsmore,1/1/1715394 C.S.M.A. Millar,6/4/18† Since deceased.
The London Gazette, dated 15/6/16.
Lieut.-ColonelD.S. Morton, V.D.
15205 Regt. S.M.J. Kelly.
The London Gazette, dated 4/1/17.
†Capt.J.S. Marr.
The London Gazette, dated 25/5/17
2nd Lieut.F.E. Dunsmuir.
16109 Sergt.W. Wallace.
The London Gazette, dated 21/12/17.
MajorG.R.S. Paterson, M.C.
15510 Sergt.J.C. Bruce.
16084 Sergt.Y. Gilbert.
16085 Pte.W. Parker.
† Since deceased.
15849 Sergt.W. Fraser,1/1/182797 Sergt.F. Leiper,13/2/1715866 C.S.M.W. Mather,1/1/17†15507 C.S.M.S.D. Reith,30/5/16† Since deceased.
†2997 Sergt.N. Connor, M.M.
† Since deceased.
Date ofGazette†23053 Pte.G.S. Anderson,26/5/1715255 Cpl.J. Chapman,10/11/16† 2997 Sergt.N. Connor,16/2/1716004 Pte.J.K. Deans,16/2/1715973 L.-Sergt.W. Dickson,17/9/1715937 Cpl.F. Farnell,17/9/1715582 L.-Cpl.A.V. Follett,17/9/1740899 Pte.A.B. Forrest,17/9/1715581 Pte.C.N. Fraser,16/2/1716084 Sergt.Y. Gilbert,16/2/172727 L.-Cpl.W. Glennie,26/5/1741046 Pte.J. Hogg,26/5/172744 Pte.J.C. Hunter,20/10/169808 Sergt.J. Johnstone,26/5/172797 Pte.F. Leiper,3/6/1615748 Sergt.F.M. M'Gregor,16/2/17†15720 Pte.D. MacIntosh,3/6/1615363 Pte.A.G. M'Nair,10/11/16†15677 Sergt.J. Maxwell,16/2/17†16146 Sergt.R. Milligan,29/8/17†15964 Sergt.J. Osborne,16/2/1727267 L.-Cpl.J. Pearson,26/5/172725 L.-Sergt.J. Ramage,26/5/1741198 Pte.E. Reddington,26/5/1715415 Sergt.T. Ritchie,20/10/1615775 Sergt.J. Roberts,16/2/1728057 L.-Cpl.P. Robertson,26/5/1743268 Pte.T. Scott,16/2/1713688 Pte.R.J. Slowey,16/2/1742378 Pte.P. Smith,26/5/1715956 C.Q.M.S.W. Stewart,16/2/17†15458 Sergt.H.G. Taylor,3/6/1616149 Cpl.H. Thorburn,26/5/1741607 Pte.D. Turnbull,18/6/1715938 Sergt.A.G. Watson,16/2/1715818 Pte.R.M. Watson,16/2/1740530 Pte.J. Watt,26/4/17353079 Pte.F.S. Willder,17/9/17† Since deceased.
15544 Sergt.M. Cullen.
16064 L.-Cpl.J. Hutton, att. IV. Corps.
15710 L.-Cpl.J.A. M'Dougall, 32nd Division.
16169 Sergt.J.F. Sinclair, 97th Brigade.
15310 C.S.M.G. Hirst.
16109 C.Q.M.S.W. Wallace.
MajorG.R.S. Paterson, 5th K.O.S.B.,formerly Major 17th H.L.I.
Capt.J.D. Young, 10th A. & S. Highlanders,formerly 2916 Pte. "B" Coy.
Lieut.J. Callan, M.C., 12th H.L.I.,formerly 15527 L.-Cpl., "A" Coy.
Capt.A.W. Donald, M.C., 252 Coy. R.E.,formerly 15200 L.-Cpl. "B" Coy.
†2nd Lieut.C.B. Meadows, M.C,King's Own Royal Lancashire Regiment,formerly 23015 Pte. "C" Coy.
† Since deceased.
Lieut.R. Anderson, 13th Battalion Tank Corps,formerly 15832 Sergeant "A" Coy.
Lieut.H.T. Baird, 447th Coy. R.E.,formerly 15509 Pte. "A" Coy.
2ndLieut. A. Brown, A. & S. Highlanders,formerly 16187 Pte. "C" Coy.
Lieut.J. Callan, 12th H.L.I.,formerly 15527 L.-Cpl. "A" Coy.
Lieut.S. Campbell, 12th H.L.I.,formerly 15982 Pte. "C" Coy.
Lieut.J.H. Carswell,1st Northumberland Fusiliers,formerly 2708 L.-Cpl. "B" Coy.
CaptainA.W. Donald, 252nd Coy. R.E.,formerly 15200 L.-Cpl. "B" Coy.
2nd Lieut.A.G. Drummond, 6th Black Watch,formerly 23011 Pte. "A" Coy.
2ndLieut. H.C. Davie,1/8th Battalion Scottish Rifles,formerly 15561 L.-Cpl. "C" Coy.
Lieut.A.F. Ferguson, H.L.I., attached R.A.F.,formerly 15282 C.Q.M.S. "A" Coy.
†2nd Lieut.E.L. Garvie,9th H.L.I. (Glasgow Highlanders),formerly 2956 Pte. "B" Coy.
Lieut.H.P. Haddow, King's Royal Rifle Corps,formerly 15854 L.-Cpl. "A" Coy.
†CaptainJ.M. Hamilton, Lancashire Fusiliers,formerly 2783 Pte. "B" Coy.
Lieut.H. Henderson, Liverpool Scottish,formerly 16182 Sergt. "C" Coy.
2nd Lieut.J.F. Holmes, 9th Scottish Rifles,formerly 15856 Pte. "C" Coy.
Lieut.J.L. Jack, Machine Gun Corps,formerly 2843 Pte. "C" Coy.
Lieut.S.F. Johnstone, Durham Light Infantry,formerly 15323 Cpl. "C" Coy.
2nd LieutH.W. Jordon,19th Durham Light Infantry,formerly 2698 L.-Cpl. "C" Coy.
Staff-Capt.T.P. Locking, General List,formerly 15657 Sergt. "B" Coy.
2nd Lieut.R. Love, 222nd Coy. R.E.,formerly 15336 Pte. "A" Coy.
Capt.F.M. M'Gregor, M.M., Northants Regiment,formerly 15748 Act.-C.S.M. "C" Coy.
†2nd Lieut.C.B. Meadows,King's Own Royal Lancashire Regiment,formerly 23015 Pte. "C" Coy.
Lieut.A.A. Miller,9th H.L.I. (Glasgow Highlanders),formerly 15680 Pte. "B" Coy.
†Lieut.J. Miller, 7th A. & S. Highlanders,formerly 2970 Pte. A. & S.H. Cy.
Capt.F.D. Morton, 25th Royal Fusiliers,formerly Lieut. "C" Coy.
Sub-Lieut.T.I. Morton,"Anson" Battalion, R.N. Division,formerly 15693 "C" Coy.
Capt.J.D. Young, 10th A. & S. Highlanders,formerly 2916 Pte. "B" Coy.
† Since deceased.
Lieut.W. Hogg, Intelligence Corps,formerly 15629 Cpl. "B" Coy.
34834 Sergt.T. Garmory,8th York and Lancaster Regiment,formerly 2985 Pte. "D" Coy.
†22355 Sergt.J.A. Wark, Machine Gun Corps,formerly 15461 Pte. "B" Coy.
† Since deceased.
16018 Pte.R. Hood, 2nd Battn. H.L.I.,formerly "D" Coy.
15440 Cpl.W.P. Steel, 8th York and Lancs.,formerly 15440 Pte. "B" Coy.
34853 L.-Cpl.J.L. Wilson, 8th York and Lancs.,formerly 15813 Pte. "D" Coy.
†15583 Pte.R.D. Frame, 2nd H.L.I.,formerly Pte. "C" Coy.
15389 Cpl.D. Murray, 16th H.L.I.,formerly L.-Cpl. "B" Coy.
15373 Sergt.F.J. M'Clusky, 2nd H.L.I.,formerly L.-Cpl., "A" Coy.
—— Sergt.A. M'Auslan, R.E.,formerly 15365 L.-Cpl. "A" Coy.
16192 L.-Cpl.H. M'Killop, 16th H.L.I.,formerly L.-Cpl. "A" Coy.
† Since deceased.
Every effort has been made by reference to the Battalion Records, by advertising and otherwise, to make these lists complete. The Editors will much regret should there be unfortunately any omissions.
Every effort has been made by reference to the Battalion Records, by advertising and otherwise, to make these lists complete. The Editors will much regret should there be unfortunately any omissions.
Lieut.-ColonelD.S. Morton, V.D."A" Company."B" Company.MajorW.J. Paul(Commanding).MajorJ.R. Young(Commanding).CaptainW.W. Morton.Lieut.R.T. Neilson.Lieut.J.B. MacBrayne.Lieut.Gardner.Lieut.G.R.S. Paterson.CaptainJ. Russell.Lieut.G.V.M. Boyd.Lieut.A.J. Begg.2nd Lieut.R. Scott."C" Company."D" Company.MajorW. Auld, V.D.(Commanding).CaptainE. Hutchison(Commanding).CaptainW.H. Anderson.Lieut.A.J. Ferguson.Lieut.F.D. Morton.Lieut.A.S. Millar.LieutJ.S. Sharp.CaptainJ. McM. Mitchell.2nd Lieut.P.G. Symington.Lieut.R.W. Cassell.2nd Lieut.D. Kitchen.Lieut.J.M. Brown.Lieut. and QuartermasterA.E. Slade.Lieut.D.R. Kirkpatrick, R.A.M.C. (attached).
The Battalion was successively under the Command of:—
ColonelD.S. Morton, C.M.G., V.D.
Lieut.-ColonelW.J. Paul.
Lieut.-ColonelF.R.F. Sworder,Gordon Highlanders.
Lieut.-ColonelJ. Inglis, C.M.G., D.S.O.,Highland Light Infantry.
2nd Lt.W.M. Alexander,Killed in Action,1/ 7/162nd Lt.W.M. Alexander,Killed in Action,1/ 7/162nd Lt.J.R. Beckett,Wounded in Action,Died of Wounds,1/ 7/164/ 7/162nd Lt.J.L. Brodie, M.C.,To 15th H.L.I, on disbandment.*2nd Lt.J.M. Brown.——2nd Lt.J.N. Carpenter, M.C.,Killed in Action,1/ 7/162nd Lt.J. Chapman,Wounded in Action,1/ 7/16*2nd Lt.H.C. Colvil.——2nd Lt.P.N. Cunningham,Killed in Action,2/12/17CaptainE. Dobson,Killed in Action,10/ 7/17CaptainA.N. Drysdale, M.C.,Died of Wounds,15/ 4/17Lieut.A.S. Elsworth,Wounded in Action,Wounded in Action,1/ 7/16/ 8/17*2nd Lt.J.W. Fraser.——*2nd Lt.P.H. Graham.——2nd Lt.G.G. Henderson,Killed in Action,6/ 8/16*2nd Lt.H.G. Hendry.——2nd Lt.W.A. Herron,Wounded in Action,/ 8/17Lieut.Jas. Kelly, D.C.M.,——2nd Lt.A.D. Laird,Killed in Action,1/ 7/16CaptainT.P. Locking,——CaptainJ.F. Morrison,Killed in Action,18/11/16CaptainJ.S. Marr,Killed in Action,18/11/16CaptainH. M'Robert,To General Staff (Staff Captain).CaptainJ.L. M'Connell, M.C.,To General List (Staff Captain).2nd Lt.J.M. Macarthur,To T.M. BatteryCaptainA.G. Marshall,Killed in Action,12/ 2/17*2nd Lt.H.R. Orr.——2nd Lt.J. Osborne,Killed in Action,2/12/172nd Lt.H.R. Peat,Wounded in Action,10/ 7/17*2nd Lt.F.H. Pooley.——*2nd Lt.F.A. Russell.——2nd Lt.J.C. Todd,Killed in Action,27/ 6/17*2nd Lt.G.B. Walker.——2nd Lt.C.S. Williamson,Wounded in Action,/ 8/172nd Lt.D.G. Younger,Killed in Action,1/ 7/16* These Officers did not serve with the Battalion in France. The ranks noted are those which they held previous to Embarkation.
All the undernoted joined the Battalion as Privates. The Ranks shown are those attained previous to Embarkation.
All the undernoted joined the Battalion as Privates. The Ranks shown are those attained previous to Embarkation.