Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Clark Turner, a carpenter, born 1861 in Soham, Cambridgeshire and his wife Annie Mary Turner (nee Lakin, married on the 4th February 1891 in the Parish Church, Ravenstone, Leicestershire), born 1867 in Hugglescote, Leicestershire. Charles was born on the 10th April 1896 in Soham and was baptised on the 8th May 1896 in the Parish Church, Soham, his siblings were, Rhoda Elizabeth, born 1892 in Soham, William Lakin, born 1893 in Newmarket, Cambridgeshire, Edward Clark, born 14th July 1894 and baptised on the 8th August 1894 in the Parish Church, Soham and Annie, born 17th June 1897 and baptised on the 14th July 1897 in the Parish Church, Soham, the latter two siblings were both born in Soham, in March 1901 the family home was at Cottage, Clay Street, Soham. In April 1911 Charles was employed as a newspaper boy and was residing in the family home at Clay Street, Soham, together with his father, a carpenter, his mother and siblings Edward, a newspaper boy, Annie, a schoolgirl and Florence May, born 21st May 1904 in Soham and baptised on the 10th June 1904 in the Parish Church, Soham.
Charles’s Army enlistment documents do not survive, all that is known of his military service is that he enlisted into the Norfolk Regiment, being allotted the service number 13520, and was posted as a Private to the 8th Battalion Norfolk Regiment and with this unit he first entered the theatre of war in France on the 25th July 1915. He was transferred to the 7th Battalion Norfolk Regiment and it was while serving with this unit that on the 27th March 1918, he was taken as a Prisoner of War, near Albert, France during the German Spring Offensive. He subsequently died in captivity on the 10th October 1918 in Landrecies, France. He was awarded the 1914-15 STAR, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The War Diary records: 27 Mar-18 – ALBERT. At 4.00am the Battalion moved back to the bank on the crest behind the NORTHAMPTONSHIRE REGIMENT. From then onward, this position was heavily shelled and was also swept by Machine Gun fire. During the morning the right flank retired, but the enemy did not then press his attack, and the Machine Gun fire slackened somewhat. Lieutenant Colonel REES took out about 40 men and re-established this line. Much trouble was experienced at this time by Machine Gun fire from hostile aeroplanes. Our right flank was now in the air and no information could be obtained as to the position of the SUFFOLK REGIMENT. A Lewis Gun was posted on the road about 100 yards away to our right. A party was sent out to hold the road between this section and our line but could not maintain its position owing to artillery fire. Later Captain WEAVER and Regimental Sergeant Major GOLDEN went out about 400 yards to the right flank and established a post there.
At about 11.00am the enemy were seen advancing in large numbers into AVELUY, It appeared therefore that both our flanks were in the air. Lieutenant Colonel REES therefore gave the command for the Battalion and the NORTHAMPTONSHIRE REGIMENT and ESSEX REGIMENT Companies to withdraw in wards to the crest in rear with our left on the BOUGINCOURT – AVELUY Road. The withdrawal was carried out with great difficulty through a heavy artillery and Machine Gun barrage. It was found most difficult to form a new line on the crest but a strong post was established in the forked sunken road just South of the AVELUY – BOUGINCOURT Road. Here there were Lieutenant Colonel REES, Captain TAPPLEY, 2nd Lieutenant BRUMBLEY, two Machine Gun Officers with their Machine Guns and about 150 men. Later a few reinforcements under Captain WEAVER, Lieutenant HESELTON, 2nd Lieutenant’s LARK and PHILIPS and Captain SOAMES, ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS arrived and Captain the Reverend RICHARDS also kept in touch with the post. The position became precarious during the afternoon as the enemy established Machine Guns enfilading the road and were also working round our left flank. Captain TAPPLEY therefore went back to Brigade Headquarters for instructions. Brigade said that the post was to be held if possible and sent up three Vickers Guns to assist. These never arrived however. At dusk the enemy had almost entirely surrounded the post and eventually rushed it. Lieutenant Colonel REES was by this time wounded and was taken prisoner together with Captain SOAMES who remained with him. Most of the garrison however were able to withdraw. Captain TAPPLEY had by this time reached the line held by the NORTHAMPTONSHIRE REGIMENT in rear of the post and hearing that it was hard pressed had taken up two platoons to reinforce. He met the garrison withdrawing and put them in position on the right flank of NORTHAMPTONSHIRE REGIMENT which was then in the air.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday October 10th, 1919

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of Pte. C. Turner, 7th Norfolks, who died at Landrecies (whilst a prisoner of war) on October 10th, 1918.

“Ever in our thoughts.”

8, North Street, Hugglescote

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 21/12/2018