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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

James Alexander Turner

In memory of:

Lieutenant Colonel James Alexander Turner

July 26, 1918

Military Service


Force:

Army

Unit:

Royal Scots

Division:

2nd Battalion

Citation(s):

Distinguished Service Order and Military Cross

Additional Information


Commemorated on Page 594 of the First World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information


Cemetery:

VAUXBUIN FRENCH NATIONAL CEMETERY
Aisne, France

Grave Reference:

I. A. 20.

Location:

Vauxbuin is a village 4 kilometres to the south-west of Soissons, and Vauxbuin French National Cemetery can be reached from the direction of Soissons via the N2, Soissons to Paris road. It is necessary to go around the Soissons ring road following the signs for Paris. On leaving the Soissons ring road via a large roundabout, continue to follow the signs for Paris via the N2. Vauxbuin French National Cemetery lies 3 kilometres along this road on the right side. Caution must be taken along this road as it is a very busy road with traffic travelling very fast. The Commission Plot forms a small part of this large French Cemetery which is situated adjacent to a German military cemetery.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

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  • Newspaper clipping– From the Montreal Star c.1918. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Monument– Lt.-Col. James Alexander Turner is remembered on the Turner family memorial, Hamilton Cemetery, Hamilton, Ontario. It is noted on this memorial that Lt.-Col. Turner was awarded the D.S.O. and Military Cross. Also inscribed: "Killed in Action July 26th, 1918 at Buzancy, France".  He was the only son of A. D. Turner and grandson of the Hon. James Turner and Caroline Huldah.
  • Inscription
  • Inscription
  • Memorial Plaque– Lieut.-Col. James Alexander Turner (RMC 1910) 13th Royal Scots. Born May 12th, 1891. At Highfield 1904-10: Rifle Champion, 1909/1910; Cricket, 1907-8-9-10; Tinling Gold Medal, 1910. R. M. C. 1910 (9th place): Feather-Weight Boxing Champion; Inter-Collegiate Athletic Team; Sandhurst Rifle Team; Sergeant; Crossed Rifles with Crown; Highest score on record in Sandhurst Revolver Match. Civil Service 1913: Wounded at Hooge, Sanctuary Wood, and Arras. Capt. 1915, Major 1916, Lt.-CoL 1918. Son of Mrs. Turner, of Philadelphia. Grandson of the late Senator Jas. Turner, of Highfield, Hamilton. Disdaining to await the commission to which he was entitled by his splendid record at the Royal Military College, he enlisted in the ranks, but speedily became assistant Adjutant to the 9th Battalion. He is commemorated on the Memorial Tablet at Hillfield-Strathallan College, the Memorial Arch at the Royal Military College of Canada, and in the First World War Book of Remembrance.
  • Memorial Stained Glass– Lieut.-Col. James Alexander Turner (RMC 1910) 13th Royal Scots. Born May 12th, 1891. At Highfield 1904-10: Rifle Champion, 1909/1910; Cricket, 1907-8-9-10; Tinling Gold Medal, 1910. R. M. C. 1910 (9th place): Feather-Weight Boxing Champion; Inter-Collegiate Athletic Team; Sandhurst Rifle Team; Sergeant; Crossed Rifles with Crown; Highest score on record in Sandhurst Revolver Match. Civil Service 1913: Wounded at Hooge, Sanctuary Wood, and Arras. Capt. 1915, Major 1916, Lt.-CoL 1918. Son of Mrs. Turner, of Philadelphia. Grandson of the late Senator Jas. Turner, of Highfield, Hamilton. Disdaining to await the commission to which he was entitled by his splendid record at the Royal Military College, he enlisted in the ranks, but speedily became assistant Adjutant to the 9th Battalion. He is commemorated on the Memorial Tablet at Hillfield-Strathallan College, the Memorial Arch at the Royal Military College of Canada, and in the First World War Book of Remembrance.
  • Doll– Ex-cadets are named on the Memorial Arch at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario and in memorial stained glass windows to fallen comrades.
  • Memorial Plaque– 872 Lt Col James Alexander Turner DSO MC (RMC 1912) served with the Royal Scots, 2nd Battalion. He died on July 26, 1918. He was buried in the Vauxbuin French National Cemetery in Aisne, France.
  • Grave Marker– 872 Lt Col James Alexander Turner DSO MC (RMC 1912) served with the Royal Scots, 2nd Battalion. He died on July 26, 1918. He was buried in the Vauxbuin French National Cemetery in Aisne, France.
  • Graffiti– In gutting the Old Guard House (1816) building at the Royal Military College of Canada, prior to renovation, contractors striped off the walls and exposed the original plaster covered stonework underneath. It would seem that these stonewalls were also exposed in the period
1911-1914 for here appear the graffiti of the RMC cadets from that period immediately prior to the Great War. Before the Second World War, when cadets were taught the routines of a line infantry battalion, cadets mounted guard at the gate and the Guard House did indeed house the Guard.

Guard list for 30 March 1913. (The giant cartoon figure was probably a later addition.)
The Guard Commander-#872 J.A. Turner (RMC 1910-1913) Lt.-Col. Turner, DSO, MC, serving in the British army with the Royal Scots, was KIA 25 July 1918. 

The Cadets of the Guard were:
#934 C.V. Strong (RMC 1911-1914) Maj. Strong, MC, serving in the British army with the Royal Engineers, he was KIA in France 10 March 1917.
#935 D.C. Greery (RMC 1911-1914) Lt. Greery served in France with the Canadian Field Artillery later transferred to the Royal Flying Corps.
#933 B.H.L. Mackenzie (RMC 1911-1914) Maj. Mackenzie served with the 24th Bn, CEF and was wounded.
#971 A.L. Smith (RMC 1912-1913) Drowned at Kingston, 2 May 1913. One of the stained glass windows on the Memorial Staircase was installed in his memory. 
#968 N.C. Nelles (RMC 1912-1914) Lt. Nelles, serving with the British army, was KIA 29 January 1915.
#932 R.G. Crawford (RMC 1912-1913) Lt. Crawford, PPCLI, was KIA 9 May 1915.
  • Memorial– Memorial stair, Royal Military College, Kingston
  • Memorial Arch– Memorial arch, Royal Military College, Kingston

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