Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Captain R. P. Turgel, General List (Infantry), late Private, 4th (City of London) Battalion (Royal Fusiliers), London Regiment, who was wounded in action on the First Day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916

1914-15 Star (3336 Pte. R. P. Turgel. 4-Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (3336 Pte. R. P. Turgel. 4-Lond. R.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; together with the recipient’s Silver War Badge, the reverse officially numbered ‘36352’, in numbered card box of issue, good very fine (6) £240-£280

From the Collection of Richard P. Taylor.

Rene Percival Turgel was born in Hackney, London, on 11 October 1895 and was embodied for service with the 2/4th Battalion, London Regiment. He served with them during the Great War with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force from 24 August 1915, before proceeding to the Western Front in March 1916. He transferred to the 1/4th Battalion on 23 May 1916, and was wounded in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916, on which date his battalion was in action at Gommecourt. Treated initially at 43 Casualty Clearing Station, and then as 2 Canadian General Hospital, he was repatriated back to Britain, ands was invalided on account of his wounds on 9 March 1917, being awarded a Silver War Badge. He saw further service during the Second World War, being commissioned Second Lieutenant on the General List (Infantry) on 14 September 1942. He relinquished his commission on 16 December 1946, and was granted the rank of Honorary Captain. He died in Guildford, Surrey, on 9 May 1976.

Turgel’s son, Squadron Leader Philip Raymond Turgel, D.F.C., served with 100 and 144 Squadrons during the Second World War, and was shot down by enemy action on 26 May 1943. Sold with a R.A.F. sweetheart’s brooch.