Beschreibung:

A scarce Great War 1916 Somme ‘Warrant Officer’s’ M.C. group of four awarded to Acting Regimental Sergeant Major R. Turnbull, 6th (Service) Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, for gallantry at Bernafay Wood and Longueval. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 13th Battalion, Rifle Brigade, and was killed in action by a bomb dropped from a German aircraft whilst assembling for an attack on the Somme, 25 August 1918 Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued, in damaged Royal Mint case of issue; 1914-15 Star (12159 Cpl. (A. Sjt) R. Turnbull. K.O. Sco. Bord.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. R. Turnbull.) generally good very fine or better (4) £1,600-£2,000 A scarce Great War 1916 Somme ‘Warrant Officer’s’ M.C. group of four awarded to Acting Regimental Sergeant Major R. Turnbull, 6th (Service) Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, for gallantry at Bernafay Wood and Longueval. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 13th Battalion, Rifle Brigade, and was killed in action by a bomb dropped from a German aircraft whilst assembling for an attack on the Somme, 25 August 1918 Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued, in damaged Royal Mint case of issue; 1914-15 Star (12159 Cpl. (A. Sjt) R. Turnbull. K.O. Sco. Bord.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. R. Turnbull.) generally good very fine or better (4) £1,600-£2,000 M.C. London Gazette 1 January 1917. The following citation was published in the Berwick Advertiser: ‘He took over the Battalion Sergt. Major’s duties in Bernafay Wood on 7 July 1916, a time when casualties in officers and NCOs had been very heavy. He assisted the company officers left to keep the companies together under an intense bombardment. At Longueval on 19th July, he took over command of a company when all the officers had become casualties, collected stragglers , reorganised them into sections and maintained his position for his defence until the Battalion was withdrawn. An NCO of outstanding merit!’ Robert ‘Bertie’ Turnbull was born in 1889, the son of Michael Turnbull a Master Mariner from Berwick upon Tweed. He was educated at the Corporation Academy, and was one of a well known family of Freemen of the Borough. Turnbull attested for the 1st Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers in 1907, and was serving with them in India at the outbreak of the Great War. He transferred to the 6th (Service) Battalion, and served with them in the French theatre of war from 12 May 1915. Turnbull served with the Battalion during the Battle of Loos, and was wounded in action. He served with the Battalion as part of the 27th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division on the Somme, July - October 1916. Turnbull was awarded the M.C. for his gallantry on the 7th and 19th July. The Battalion’s first active roll in the battle came on 3 July, when they were ordered to join the 12th Royal Scots in an attack on Bernafay Wood scheduled to commence at 9pm. By 11.30 they had succeeded in capturing the wood with minimal losses. However, a counter-barrage opened up and continued unabated for four days. On 6 July, Regimental Sergeant Major Britton was wounded, and Company Sergeant Major Turnbull took over as Battalion RSM. By the 8th, the wood was clear and the Battalion was withdrawn - having suffered casualties of 16 officers and 300 other ranks over the course of 6 days in the wood. The Battalion attacked the north end of Longueval and the north-west corner of Delville Wood on 17 July 1916. The attack was unsuccessful, and they were in action again at Longueval two days later. The Battalion was heavily shelled on the 19th, losing a further 6 officers and 120 men. Turnbull took over the command of ‘D’ Company when all its officers had become casualties. By the end of the day the strength of the Battalion’s companies were as follows: ‘A’ Company - 1 officer, 1 NCO, and 20 men; ‘B’ Company - 1 officer and 50 men; ‘C’ Company - 1 officer and 6 men; ‘D’ Company - no officers, Turnbull and 29 men. The Battalion’s ov