John W.'s Story.
John William Turner; is not included on the “Fallen” Memorial at Weaverham St. Mary’s but is named on Acton Bridge’s Methodist Chapel Memorial where he is named William. He is also named on the “Fallen” memorial at St. Michael’s Little Leigh, J.W. Turner.
C.W.G.C. remember a J.W. Turner at the Aval Wood Military Cemetery, Vieux-Berquin, France, with the Service No 30682; Private; 11th Bn. East Lancs. Regt. William died 30th June 1918. No family details added.
The 1911 Census has the Turner family living at Lock House, William, father is aged 43 and Bridge-master for Acton Bridge Swing Bridge, born W/ham, with Wife Annie, aged 40 born Crowton, children Martha 14, John William 12, Thomas 10, Ellen 8 and Elsie 3.
Guardian Friday 19th July 1918, P3/C1, PRIVATE JOHN WILLIAM TURNER
“Private John William Turner of the East Lancashire Regiment, whose parents, Mr. and Mrs, William Turner, live at Lock House, Acton Bridge, was killed in action. In a letter to Mrs. Turner the Chaplin writes “On June 28th at six a.m. this battalion made an attack on the enemy positions and very soon after the start your son and another lad were struck and killed by a shell instantly, so that he could have suffered nothing at all.” Private Turner who was 20 years of age, was, prior to enlisting employed by the Weaver Refining Co. and was a member of the Wesleyan Church and Sunday school. His father is the bridge tender at Acton.”
Lock House was on the Little Leigh side of the river, opposite the Leigh Arms, thereby putting it in the Little Leigh Parish rather than the Acton Bridge Parish. There is a J. W. Turner on the memorial in St. Michael’s and All Angels church Little Leigh. John had enlisted at Northwich.
John’s father is on the Acton Swing bridge photograph in the village millennium book, page 5. The Weaver Refining Company is detailed on page 12.
Private Turner was awarded the British War and Victory Medals.
Research Bob Heaton