Grandson of boy, 14, who fought at the Somme to tell his war story at French battlefield
The story of a Black Country teenager who joined the army aged just 14 and went on to fight at the Somme during the First World War will be retold by his grandson.
Dave Turner will share the story of his grandfather Alfred William Turner as guests walk in the young soldier’s footsteps on the four-day trip, run by Staffordshire-based Century Tours, to mark the anniversary of the start of the battle on July 1.
Dave, 55, of Stonnall, near Lichfield, only discovered his grandfather’s story when he and his son Callum, 19, joined Century Tours owners Andy Fittes and Katie Love on a visit to see the First World War battlefields in France last year.
All Dave knew was that his grandfather had joined the army underage, but Andy and Katie’s painstaking research uncovered the full story. They were able to share this with Dave and Callum as they stood just a stone’s throw away from where his grandfather, who grew up in the Pelsall and Bloxwich areas, would have fought.
Dave was so moved and inspired by the experience that he has now agreed to join Century Tours on the new trip to the region to share Alfred’s story and bring history to life for a new batch of visitors.
“It’s such a privilege and an honour to be invited back,” he said. “I can't wait to share my grandfather's story with others - it’s bringing history to life and it’s so important that we keep these stories alive so we never forget the sacrifices these soldiers made all those years ago.”
Dave said he never expected to learn so much about his relative’s experiences during the war as the information he had to go on was so minimal.
