Felix George Turner

A Lieutenant with the 3rd Australian Field Artillery Brigade, Felix died on 18th of September 1918 aged 39. 

Felix was born at Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey, on 6 October 1878, a son of Felix Percy and Helena Turner. He was baptised at All Saints’ Church, Kingston, on 21 January 1883, and his family lived at Surbiton. In 1891 they lived at 31 Victoria Terrace, Surbiton, and this was still their home in 1901 when Victoria Terrace was known as Victoria Road. In 1901 Felix was a watchmaker’s assistant, probably working with his father. By 1903 Felix had emigrated to Australia and he was a stockman living at Ambry Downs, Maranoa, Queensland. By 1915 his father was living at 3 Bruce Street, Lowestoft.  

Felix was working as a station manager when he volunteered and enlisted in the Australian Army at Roma, Queensland, on 16 February 1915. He joined the 6th Reinforcements of the 3rd Australian Field Artillery Brigade, service number 4479. He arrived at Egypt on 1 May 1915 and embarked at Alexandria, for Gallipoli on 1 August 1915, and was taken on strength on 12 August. Felix was seriously wounded on 28 September and evacuated to Egypt, being admitted to 21 General Hospital, Alexandria, on 4 October. He was discharged to duty on 7 December, rejoining his unit on 9 December. His unit moved to France in March 1916.

Felix was promoted Temporary Bombardier on 1 July 1916 and confirmed in that rank on 27 August. On 9 September he was recommended for the award of the Military Medal, but this was not carried forward. He was recommended for the award again on 11 March 1917 (London Gazette 11 May 1917). He had been involved, with three other men, in a particular incident. His award, dated 28 March, has the following commendation:

For bravery and devotion to duty. By their prompt and gallant conduct in connection with the attached incident these N.C.O.s rendered most valuable and timely service and set a splendid example to all ranks of their battery.  

On 12 April 1917 Felix was transferred to the Artillery Officer Cadet School, Saint John’s Wood, London. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on 29 September and posted to the Field Artillery Reinforcements, arriving in France on 16 October, joining the 3rd Australian Field Artillery on 21 October. He was promoted Lieutenant on 29 December 1917. In February 1918 he was attached to an Australian Veterinary Hospital. Felix had leave to England from 18 August to 4 September 1918. 

Felix was killed, almost instantaneously, by shell fire on the morning of 18 September while supervising his section. He was buried by Reverend Bond, with military honours, near Tincourt at 2 p.m. on 20 September.