Frederick Harry Turner




Frederick Harry Turner, courtesy of the Royal Grammar School

Wesleyan Church, Priory Road (picture from SWOP website)

Frederick Harry Turner's grave in High Wycombe Cemetery





Frederick Harry Turner 1897 - 1917

My name is Frederick Harry Turner and I was born in High Wycombe in 1897 and was baptised in the High Wycombe Wesleyan Church. My parents were Frederick and Rosa Emily Turner and my father was a rate collector for the borough. I was there only son. We lived at Highcroft in Priory Road. I was 20 when I died on the 10th January 1917 as a result of an aeroplane accident near Leeds, Yorkshire. I was a Lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps transferred from the 10th Battalion of the Goucestershire Regiment and I was very proud of my uniform. On the day of my death I had been a passenger in an aircraft piloted by Captain Burdon. When near Leeds the aeroplane was seen to fall to earth in flames and both officers were killed.

I had been educated at the Royal Grammar School and then went to Queen's College Taunton for two and half years. Whilst at the Royal Grammar School I had been in the Officers' Training Corps and took great interest in the drills and duties in general. I like to think that I was a good shot and was also quite good at athletics. I was also a keen motorcyclist and enjoyed mechanics so it was only natural that I would seek a role in that area.

On the outbreak of war I joined the London University Officers' Training Corps and in December 1914 obtained a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the 10th Gloucestershire Regiment which an old school mate of mine, Stanley Stephenson, also joined. I left for France on the 8th August 1915 and was promoted to a full Lieutenant the following month. I felt the brunt of the fighting in several engagements where it is said that I acquitted myself with distinction and credit. For my 'conspicuous gallantry' at the Battle of Loos I received the Military Cross and had the honour of receiving this at the hands of His Majesty the King at Buckingham Palace on 7th October. An article written in the school magazine said 'We congratulate Lt Turner, his people, and the school in recognition of his gallant bearing. It is characteristic of Turner that the only communications we receive from him are the official postcards which tell us laconically that he is quite well'.

I had obtained my certificate as a pilot before my untimely death and I was siad to be concientious, diligent and fearless. My body was brought back from Leeds and I was buried in this family plot in High Wycombe Cemetery.

I am remembered on the High Wycombe Memorial Hospital Plaque, High Wycombe Wesleyan Methodist Church Memorial, and on the Roll of Honour at the Royal Grammar School.



Researched by Sally Scagell, Lost the Plot

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