Lt. Robert Turner Killed by an Artillery Shell, 1918

“Lieutenant Turner Was Killed by a Shell,” from the Hickory Daily Record, Aug. 22, 1918

Mrs. Robert H. Turner has received letters from two army officers, Capt. Thos. J. Gause and Capt. Robert H. Morrison, giving details of the death of her husband, Lieut. Turner, who was killed in France July 24. Lieut. Turner was an officer in Capt. Gause’s company. Capt. Morrison, who is a North Carolinan, from Lincoln County, was with young Turner when he died.

Capt. Morrison wrote: “I was with Lieut. Turner when he was killed and am the only officer who knows all of the circumstances.

“We were about one-half mile in the rear of the enemy’s line when a three-inch artillery shell came over and struck Lieut. Turner in the center of the back, going through his body. Death was instantaneous. He never knew what struck him. He had been to dinner with me and we were going back to the place where his company was located when it happened.

“I have served in the same outfit with Lieut. Turner ever since he has been in the service. He has always been a popular officer, well thought of by all officers and men, and we are all deeply grieved over losing him.” –Statesville Landmark