Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

Frontier Battalion, Sudan Defence Force (SDF), British Army

Awarded on:

September 9th, 1941

Citation:
"During the night 25/26th March Lieutenant Turrall carried out a mortar attack on the south flank of the strong enemy positions covering Debra Marcos later withdrawing his force across the enemy's flank to the north of their position. These operations lasted during the whole night and it was learnt that considerable casualties had been inflicted on the enemy as a result of them. On 28th March Lieutenant Turrall took up a position on the northern flank of the same defences and successfully bombed them with the three inch mortar inflicting a large number of observed casualties. On the night of 31st March -– 1st April Lieutenant Turrall in conjunction with El Bimbashi MacDonald carried out a night bombing attack with hand bombs on the rear of these same defences. El Bimbashi MacDonald was killed while only five yards from the enemy position and Lieutenant Turrall took charge of the operations and at their conclusion himself with two NCOs carried back El Bimbashi MacDonald's body a distance of some five miles in the dark. These operations were carried out in pouring rain and a high wind under the most trying conditions. As a result of these night and day attacks in all of which Lieutenant Turrall displayed coolness, resolution and courage the enemy were forced to hasten their withdrawal from the strong covering positions west of Debra Marcos, and lost a large number of killed and wounded."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Major

Unit:

Force 136, Special Operations Executive (SOE), British Government

Awarded on:

November 7th, 1946

Citation:
"This officer, who, at the age of 54, commanded the original 'blind' parachute jump of Force 136 personnel to PYAGAWPO on 25 February 1945, organised the reception of operations OTTER and FERRET a few nights later in spite of Japanese forces having arrived in the area from PAPUN. He also organised and trained several hundred Levies who eventually became the hard core of Operation HYENA. On 15 April 1945, he personally led the successful attack on KYAUKKYI which resulted in enemy supplies, spare arms and a W/T set being destroyed. Later he operated in the area East of KYAUKKYI and with his Levies killed over 500 Japanese and gave intelligence for air strikes and artillery which resulted in 924 estimated enemy casualties. For his outstanding powers of leadership and great gallantry shown on numerous occasions I recommend very strongly that this officer be awarded the Distinguished Service Order."