Lt-Col Dudley Ralph Turnbull, commanding 20th Battalion

[andrewr]

KIA 1st October 1917

Could someone please provide information from the Regimental diary or history as to what the battalion were dong on that day?

Thanks,
Andrewr

[PhilipG]

I assume you are referring to Lt.Col. D.R. Turnbull, DSO, Gordon Highlanders, attached 20th Mcrs. The battalion was in the 7th Division, 22nd Brigade. and on the 1st October 1917 was in the Ypres Salient. According to the Official History of the Great War, Military Operations, France and Belgium1917, Vol ii, 7th June- 10th November, page 302, it was taking part in the Battle of Broodseinde.  The brigade was commanded by Br.Gen.J.Mc.Steele occupying the line in front of Polygon Wood when a strong enemy force attacked, including storm troopers and after stubborn fighting the German attack was repelled.  In addition to the  loss of the 20th Mcrs. CO., the 9th Leics. Commanding Officer was also kia near Polygon Wood and for his bravery was awarded the V.C.
Polygon Wood is due north of Gheluvelt (of 1914 fame), and can be reached by turning left off the Menin Road at  Clapham Junction. As I am sure you know, Turnbull is buried at the Buttes New Cem.Polygon Wood. Take care. PhilipG.

[PhilipG]

A bit more may be of interest.  My 20th Manchesters file had been "put in a safe place" and has only emerged having been placed in a file marked "Lancs. Fusiliers". A bill dated 3rd Jany.1990 with the file suggests that I bought it from a London bookseller all those years ago when few seemed interested in research into the Great War. I blame "advancing years".  The file suggests that it had been compiled  from the War Diary at some time as the style and info. appears to indicate such was the case.  The Bn. was holding a line east of Polygon Wood when after a heavy barrage at 5.30 a.m. slackening at 6 a.m. the enemy launched a counter attack consisting of 300 men which was repulsed.  Trouble thereafter was suffered by German snipers in adjacent shell holes.

One of these was responsible for the death of the CO who was killed whilst going the rounds at 7.15 a.m. During the day 2nd Lt W.R.Dadge M.M. was killed and 2 other subalterns wounded.   After the morning barrage the enemy sent out stretcher bearers under the red cross flag. Hope this is of interest. PhilipG.

[PhilipG]

Further research reveals the casualty's name was not DADGE but Dodge. According to the CWGC site he was a native of Wilmslow (knew it well) and he lived in Fallowfield (knew it less well). Take care. PhilipG.

[timberman]

In the early hours of 1 October, the 56th AIF was relieved in Polygon Wood by a battalion of the Manchester Regiment. Alan remained behind to brief the Manchester’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Dudley Ralph Turnbull, on the defences of the wood and the German positions nearby.

While standing together both Alan and Dudley were killed by the same sniper’s bullet. Their bodies were buried near where they fell. In 1919, Grave Registration Units searching Polygon Wood discovered the bodies and both men were buried in the CWGC’s Buttes New British Cemetery.

Lt Col Alan Scott is buried in Plot II, Row A, Grave 12.

Lt Col Dudley Turnbull is buried in Plot I, Row C, Grave 9. Born in 1891, he was the son of Col. C. F. A. Turnbull (retired) and Evelyn S. Turnbull. He completed three years of active service including Mons. Lt Col Turnbull’s headstone bears the inscription: “STILL WITH US BEYOND THE VEIL”. There is a plaque in his memory at St Laurence Church in Surrey.

Timberman

More to follow

[timberman]

The plaque in his memory at St Laurence Church in Surrey.

Click on the picture to make it bigger.

Timberman

[timberman]

Picture of his grave and him the date under the picture
is wrong.

Click on the picture to make it bigger.

Timberman