b. 30/03/1916 Tonbridge, Kent. d. 02/03/1939 Malta.
DATE OF AM ACTION: 02/03/1939 Malta.
Alec T Turner AM
Alec Talbot Turner was the son of Alexander Turner, of Haslemere, Surrey. He was commissioned as a Probationary 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Marines on 1st September 1934. He then served in Palestine before the incident which led to his posthumous Albert Medal.
AM CITATION:
On the 2nd March, 1939, when H.M.S. ” Ramillies” was preparing to enter the Grand Harbour at Malta, the Royal Marines were employed in making the ladders ready to hoist out. Sergeant C. E. Young, Royal Marines, was in charge of the starboard foremost gangway davit when one of the davits broke loose and carried him overboard. Lieutenant A. T. Turner, R.M., who was standing some 12 yards further aft, saw what happened, and without hesitation dived into the sea after Sergeant Young without even removing his india-rubber boots. Lieutenant Turner was last seen about 40 yards swimming towards the Sergeant. The two life boats were lowered immediately, and got away very promptly. These were followed by the Ship, but despite a thorough search for several hours, neither Lieutenant Turner nor Sergeant Young were seen again. The sea at the time was very rough with a strong following wind.
BURIAL LOCATION: UNKNOWN.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: ROYAL MARINES MUSEUM, EASTNEY, HAMPSHIRE.
