Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Gunner

Unit:

37 Battery, 17th Canadian Field Regiment RCA, 5th Canadian (Armoured) Division, Canadian Army

Awarded on:

February 1st, 1945

"On 17 January 1944, 11 Canadian Infantry Brigade put in an attack on a strongly held German position in front of Ortona where an observation post had been established for the Commanding Officer of the Cape Breton Highlanders and the Officer Commanding 37 Battery, 17 Field Regiment, the Royal Canadian Artillery. During the early stages of the battle both the observation post telephone lines and the infantry telephone lines were cut by enemy mortar and shell fire, while at the same time wireless communication was unsatisfactory. Gunner Turner, who as Battery Signaller realized that communications had failed, on his own initiative went forward in full view of the enemy and, under intense mortar, shell and machine gun fire, re-established communications between the observation post and brigade headquarters. Throughout the battle this soldier continued, at great personal danger, to maintain the line communication which was so essential to the successful conduct of the battle. It was through the courage, initiative and determination of Gunner Turner in the face of fierce enemy fire, that the command and control of the battalion with which the observation post was working was able to continue throughout the battle and thus carry out its allotted task. During the ensuing weeks while the regiment was in the line, this soldier continued to show a devotion to duty which compared favourably with that already mentioned. Opposed to harassing fire, working long hours and under continuous strain, this soldier showed an ever-increasing spirit of determination to ensure that communications were maintained. Never faltering in his duty he has set a standard worthy of high recognition."