THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

TURNBULL Frank Kingdom

10/131, Major, 1 Battalion, Wellington Regiment, WW1

38632, Lieutenant Colonel, Ships Staff, OC Troops, HMNZ Transports 16, WW2

16994 Legion of Frontiersmen, New Zealand

CITATION

Distinguished Service Order

Gazetted 2 December 1918, p14215

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.  He was in command of his battalion which he handled with great ability during four days severe

fighting.  He was continually with the advance guard while the enemy were retreating and his accurate reports to brigade headquarters greatly

contributed to the success of the operations. He repelled several determined counter attacks and during the whole time his unfailing cheerfulness

and example of personal courage greatly encouraged his officers and men.

Military Cross

Gazetted 14 January 1916, p591

For distinguished service at Gallipoli.

Mention in Despatches

Gazetted 28 January 1916, p1210

Mentioned in connection with operations described in General Ian Hamilton's despatch dated 11 December 1915.

Mention in Despatches

Gazetted 4 January 1917, p261

At Flers on the 19th September, and the two following days this officer was in command of the Hawkes Bay Company of his Battalion.  His company was assigned the right half of the objective attacked by the battalion.  His task was peculiarly difficult both because the brigade on the right failed to advance and because the enemy made a counter attack and set up a barrage just before the time of our attack.  The company repelled the counter attack and cross the barrage and then took and consolidated its objective, though it had to withstand heavy bombing attacks.  This officer early lost two out of three officers with him, and to his courage and determined leading much must be attributed.  He was awarded the Military Cross and Mentioned in Despatches for his services in Gallipoli and since coming to France he had rendered most valuable services.

Mention in Despatches

Gazetted 31 December 1918, p15231

Mentioned in Sir D. Haig's despatch dated 8 November 1918, submitting names deserving of special mention.

KNOWN AWARDS

Distinguished Service Order

Military Cross

1914-15 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Mention in Despatches (3)

Africa Star

War Medal 1939-45

New Zealand War Service Medal

Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal

New Zealand Long and Efficient Service Medal

New Zealand Territorial Service Medal

NOTES

Born 3 January 1885, Nelson, New Zealand

Died 22 November 1946, Wanganui, New Zealand

Buried Aramoho Cemetery, Wanganui [Warrant 8672]

DEATH NOTICE

Notable War Record

Lieutenant Colonel F.K Turnbull

[New Zealand Herald 23 November 1946]

Lieutenant Colonel F.K Turnbull DSO, MC, MiD, a former commandant of Papakura Military Camp, has died in Wanganui.  He had a distinguished career in the two world wars.  He was born in Nelson in 1885 and was the son of Mr Andrew Turnbull, SM,.  After being educated at the Napier Grammar School and Wanganui College, he attended Victoria University College where he obtained his LLB degree in 1910.  He was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in the same year and practised with the firm of Turnbull and Robertson in Wanganui.

Lieutenant Colonel Turnbull left New Zealand with the Main Body of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the First World War.  He rose from a Lieutenant in the Wellington Regiment to the command of the 1st Battalion of the same Regiment, with which he served throughout the war in Egypt, Gallipoli and France.  He was awarded the DSO and MC and mentioned in despatches three time

On the outbreak of war in 1939 Lieutenant Colonel Turnbull was on the reserve of officers, Wellington (West Coast) Regiment.  Later he commanded brigade units at Trentham Camp.  After a period overseas as Draft Conducting Officer for an Expeditionary Force reinforcement he assumed command of Papakura Camp from Lieutenant Colonel CS White, VD, who was transferred to the Expeditionary Force for duty.  He remained at Papakura Camp for two and a half years and was posted to the Reserve of Officers in 1944.

Lieutenant Colonel Turnbull was interested in rugby football and swimming and was a member of the Wanganui Rugby Union from 1911 to 1914, and president of the Wanganui centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association from 1912 to 1914.  He was also president of the Wanganui branch of the Returned Soldiers Association from 1920 to 1922.