The Airmen's Stories - F/Lt. D E Turner

Donald Eric Turner was born in Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands on 31st July 1910, the son of George Isaac Turner and Mary Ann Turner (nee Pitaluga).

His family came to England when he was 10 years old and he attended King Edward VI Grammar School at Bury St. Edmunds.

On leaving Turner went on to work for Barclays Bank and became a member of the Artists Rifles Regiment of the Territorial Army. In September 1932 Turner joined the RAF on a short service commission. He was posted to 3 FTS Grantham on 8th October and with his training completed he joined 19 Squadron at Duxford on 16th September 1933.

Turner was posted to 65 Squadron at Hornchurch on 15th September 1934, to 74 Squadron on 3rd September 1935, the squadron was forming on the transport SS Neuralia en route to Malta.

Above: he was married on 1st August 1935.

74 Squadron returned to the UK on 21st September 1936. Turner went to 87 Squadron at Tangmere on 22nd March 1937.

Turner went on the Reserve in August 1938 but on the outbreak of war he was recalled to the RAF on 1st September 1939.

He arrived at 6 OTU from No. 1 Air Observer Navigation School Prestwick, where he had been a staff pilot, on 12th June 1940 for a refresher course. After converting to Hurricanes he was posted to 238 Squadron at Middle Wallop on 13th July.

Turner destroyed a Me109 on the 20th and shared in the destruction of a Me110 on the 21st.

He was shot down in combat over the convoy Peewit south of the Isle of Wight on 8th August 1940 in Hurricane P3823 and was reported 'Missing'.

Turner is is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 5.

Above image courtesy of Dean Sumner.