Lieutenant Robert Turnbull M.C.

Lieutenant  Robert  Henry  Turnbull, M.C. 18th ( Service ) Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. He died from wounds on the 4th June 1918 aged 23 suffered in action during the German Spring Offensives. He died in the 3rd Casualty Clearing Station at Gezaincourt and is buried in Bagneux British Cemetery, France. His Headstone is inscribed ” Ever Fondly Remembered”.  He had been born in Mordington, Berwickshire in 1894 and was the son of William and Isabella Stewart of Oxmuir, Hume Hall and Magdalene Cottage, Berwick-upon-Tweed. He had been employed in farm work at Oxmuir when he enlisted in the Lothian and Border Horse in November 1914.  He was then posted to the 1st Battalion, Royal Scots at Salonika where he was wounded in action.  He was evacuated Home and after recovery he was commissioned in September 1917 joining the Fusiliers in France where he was awarded the Military Cross. The citation reads ” For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an attack. He was in charge of a special party to clear enemy posts on the right flank. He led his party with great dash and ability and was entirely successful, thereby greatly helping the advance of the right of the main attack. The posts he cleared were covered by several machine guns which caused many casualties to his party. He did excellent service “.The photographs show Allied troops in rather makeshift defences preparing to resist the advancing Germans.