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Auction: 25003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 242

33 D.C.M.'s awarded to the Black Watch.

A good Immediate El Wishka Ridge D.C.M. awarded to Regimental Sergeant-Major (Warrant Officer Class I) G. P. Turner, The Black Watch

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (2750855 A/W.O.Cl.II. G. P. Turner. Black Watch.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, very fine (7)

D.C.M. London Gazette 4 May 1943. The citation states:

'During the attack on the EL WISHKA RIDGE on night 23/24 Oct 1942, Sjt. Turner displayed a complete disregard for his own safety and led his section twice through very heavy M.G. fire at short range into enemy posts, capturing them on each occasion.

By his courage and bravery he set a magnificent example to his men. Nothing could stop him.

Later, when his Company was reorganising on its objective, this N.C.O. was sent with a patrol to gain touch with the flanking unit. During the journey, all but one man of his patrol became casualties, but Sjt. Turner completed his task.

On the way back to rejoin his Coy. he suddenly came under fire from an enemy headquarters post. He immediately charged this post with the bayonet, accompanied by the only survivor of his patrol, and killed all the occupants.

The N.C.O's aggressive spirit and personal bravery on this night and in subsequent operations and a wonderful effect on his platoon, which has never once failed to carry out a task allotted to it, however dangerous or arduous.'

George Penman Turner, who was born in 1907, was a native of Erroll, Perthshire and first joined the Black Watch in 1925. He served with both the 1st and 2nd Battalions during the Second World War and took his D.C.M. along the way. Rising to Regimental Sergeant-Major (Warrant Officer Class I), he was retired in September 1945. Claiming his campaign medals in February 1948, the gallant Turner died at Inverkeithing on 1 December 1983.

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Estimate
£4,000 to £6,000

Starting price
£3200