Gnr Arthur George Turner

Arthur was born in Brentwood in 1881, the son of Charles and Sarah Turner. After leaving school, Arthur worked as a fishmonger's assistant, and his employment at first protected him from serving in the first world war - his employer, Mr Savage, said he was necessary for the business. However, he was eventually called up and served in the Royal Garrison Artillery in 1917.

He went to France on 28th July 1917 and joined 169 Siege Battery, a unit of about 200 men in control of six 8-inch howitzers. In August 1917 they supported the assault on Hill 70 and Lens, moving to Calonne on the 19th August. From there they supported the attacks on Green Crassier, suffering heavy casualties. In April 1918 they were caught up in the German spring offensive and the Battles of the Lys, working to push back a major German offensive into allied territory.

Arthur was demobilised in 1919 and returned to Brentwood. He went on to open his own fishmongers at 78 High Street and was an air raid warden in Brentwood during the second world war.