Colin Boyd has provided the following:
Joseph was born in 1893. He was working as a labourer living with his mother, Mary at 36, Back Row, Cullercoats when he enlisted in the Durham Light Infantry on September 2nd 1914. He transferred to the RNVR on September 9th 1914 and was posted to the Nelson Battalion where he served until January 8th 1915 when he deserted.
Joseph was arrested by police in North Shields on January 16th 1915 and was sentenced to 28 days' imprisonment on January 27th 1915.
He rejoined the Nelson Battalion in Gallipoli on May 1st 1915 and received three days in cells for insolence to a Leading Seaman on APril 18th 1915.
Joseph was invalided to the UK on may 27th 1915 suffering from a septic hand and on recovery he was posted to the Crystal Palace Depot.
On February 14th 1916 he was sentenced to seven days and again on March 10th 1916 he was sentenced to forty two days detention.
On July 17th 1916 Joseph was tried by District Court Martial at Blandford and was sentenced to six months detention for desertion.
Joseph was released on November 8th 1916 and joined the Howe Battalion in France on December 11th 1916 where he was killed in action on August 14th 1917.
Joseph Thompson Turner is remembered in Cullercoats on C68.01 and in Tynemouth on T36.14
