David_Bluestein Posted 4 September , 2003 Share Posted 4 September , 2003 Would like to share my newest acquisition with the Pals. This will now mark the start of a NEW research project; The discovery of: 28th Bn., Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regt.) The Son of Joseph and Maria Turney, of Church Farm, Slapton, Leighton Buzzard, England. Killed in action on October 8, 1915. He was 23 years of age. The official History of the unit records: Lt. Macintyre made a report of sounds of tunneling to British Tunneling Unit. He was told that counter saps were being dug to intercept the German tunnels. At 5:00 PM, 2 mines exploded under the "Glory Hole" section of trenches (trenches G1 & G2) where Major C.R. Hill's D Company, from Saskatoon and Prince Albert, was posted along with the Battalion Bombing Section. Men were blown 50 yards by the blasts and the brass buttons on their tunics were flattened. The company was nearly wiped out with. 19 killed, 30 wounded and 7 missing. Note (The Memorial Plaque was incorrectly named to and should have read ‘Joseph’) If any members have any other information on the events of October 8, 1915, or of Buzzard England please let me know. Much thanks David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Bluestein Posted 4 September , 2003 Author Share Posted 4 September , 2003 Detail Trio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Bluestein Posted 4 September , 2003 Author Share Posted 4 September , 2003 Memorial Plaque Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Bluestein Posted 4 September , 2003 Author Share Posted 4 September , 2003 Memorial Cross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ian Bowbrick Posted 4 September , 2003 Share Posted 4 September , 2003 David, You lucky so and so! - Nice to get the full set. The plaque has that lovely chocolate patina which I think always gives it that extra je ne sais quoi. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hill 60 Posted 4 September , 2003 Share Posted 4 September , 2003 oooh, I hate you . That is a lovely set you have there, David. This site may interest you. Slapton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Bluestein Posted 4 September , 2003 Author Share Posted 4 September , 2003 Thanks Lee, for the link. After further research, it has come to my attention that the CWGC has incorrectly shown Is this a mistake that CWGC would address? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Reed Posted 4 September , 2003 Share Posted 4 September , 2003 David - you probably already know about the 28th Bn website? http://www.nwbattalion.com/28thbattalion.html This has a large number of named group photos of the unit, and a complete roll. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Posted 4 September , 2003 Share Posted 4 September , 2003 Hi David, We had already discussed this group. It's great to get a look at it. What a beauty! Lots of luck researching this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian C Posted 4 September , 2003 Share Posted 4 September , 2003 David, I live in Milton Keynes, about 10 miles from Leighton Buzzard. I think that the local paper from that time also covered LB, If you like, the next time that I am down the library I'll have a look to see if there is any mention of him. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Bluestein Posted 4 September , 2003 Author Share Posted 4 September , 2003 If you like, the next time that I am down the library I'll have a look to see if there is any mention of him. Ian Ian, Thanks so very much for the kind offer to check the newspapers. What a fantastic offer! Living in Canada, this opportunity is all but impossible for me, and your help is kindly received. I will e-mail you off forum. Best wishes David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob HAmilton Posted 5 September , 2003 Share Posted 5 September , 2003 It could be that Robert Turney's name appears on a local memorial in Leighton Buzzard. I've found this to be quite common when men still had family in their home town. As I live some distance away I can't help but perhaps somebody a bit nearer ? Regards Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hill 60 Posted 5 September , 2003 Share Posted 5 September , 2003 It could be that Robert Turney's name appears on a local memorial in Leighton Buzzard. I wonder if his name would be on the Slapton war memorial (assuming they have one) rather than Leighton Buzzards' war memorial. I live in Wolverton which is not that far from LB, but I can't get down that way for sometime yet. Pte Turney was in the 15th Platoon (according to the website Paul posted earlier) but the page linked to his name doesn't seem to want to open The picture of his platoon is small, but according to the notes he is in the 2nd row from the back and 3rd from the left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Bluestein Posted 5 September , 2003 Author Share Posted 5 September , 2003 Thanks to all who contributed to my thread, all your advice, and links etc are gratefully received. Paul, thanks for the note about the 28th Battalion web site. I had heard about it, but never visited; and as Lee discovered, Pte. Ty’s Platoon photo does not open to a larger view. Small is better then nothing! So I will be pleased to have at least an image of Robert Turney. The mine explosion at Kemmel must have come as such a great shock to the newly arrived 28th Battalion. A group that were only at the front for the second time, and to be initiated in such a tragic way-loosing an entire company. Robert Turney and his comrades probably never knew what ‘hit’ them. Best wishes David Richmond Hill, Ontario Canada PS: Thanks Lee for posting the photo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Bluestein Posted 6 September , 2003 Author Share Posted 6 September , 2003 Very good news: Managed to get a magnified view of Pte. from the larger Platoon photograph. (Forgot to add attachment-see next post) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Bluestein Posted 6 September , 2003 Author Share Posted 6 September , 2003 Forgot to add attachment! Here it is, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will O'Brien Posted 7 September , 2003 Share Posted 7 September , 2003 QUOTE (Rob HAmilton @ Fri, 5 Sep 2003 07:29:55 +0000) It could be that Robert Turney's name appears on a local memorial in Leighton Buzzard. I wonder if his name would be on the Slapton war memorial (assuming they have one) rather than Leighton Buzzards' war memorial. I live in Wolverton which is not that far from LB, but I can't get down that way for sometime yet. Made a Reccie to Leighton Buzzard this morning. Regret to advise that Robert Turney doesn't appear on the memorial. Also had a search around Slapton (pretty little village) but I doesn't seem to have a memorial. Turney appears to be quite a popular name locally - Leighton Buzzard has 1 Turney & Soulbury nearby has 3 more. It is possible that Robert Turney may turn up on a local memorial I haven't visited yet. Sorry I couldn't 'produce the goods' Will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Bluestein Posted 8 September , 2003 Author Share Posted 8 September , 2003 Thanks for trying Will, After searching the net, I discovered the following: Pte. Robert is shown on the: 'Leighton Buzzard Beaudesert School Roll Of Honour' HOWEVER, he is not shown (as confirmed by a web site, and yourself) to be on the: 'Leighton Buzzard War memorial' (See links) Strikes me as odd? I'll keep on looking.... Photo shows the Leighton Buzzard Beaudesert School Roll Of Honour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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