The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. R C Turner

Robert Charles Turner was born in Reading on 26th December 1914 and was educated at Christ's Hospital, Horsham. He joined the RAFVR about May 1939 as an Airman u/t Aircrew. Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training and was serving as an Air Gunner with 264 Squadron at Duxford in early July 1940.

264 Squadron Air Gunners

Cpl. A Lippett* Sgt. RC Turner Sgt. FJ Barker Sgt. SB Johnson* Sgt. LH Hayden Sgt. JF Wise Sgt. P Lille

Sgt. ER Thorn** P/O FH King   LAC HT Fairbrother* P/O Williams* LAC A Fidler* Sgt. WE Cox

** Sgt. Thorn was a pilot

* not a Battle of Britain participant

Cpl. A Lippett (MIA 31st May 1940)
Sgt. SB Johnson (MIA 31st May 1940)
LAC A Fidler (KIA 31st May 1940)

He went with the squadron to Hornchurch on 21st August for what proved to be 264's final spell of day-fighting. In action on the 24th, Turner's Defiant, L7021, was severely damaged in the tail by return fire from a Ju88. He and his pilot, P/O D Whitley, were both unhurt and returned safely to base.

On the 28th they were shot down and killed by a Me109 over Thanet. The Defiant, N1574, crashed in Kingswood, Challock Forest.

Turner was 25. He is buried in Henley Road Cemetery, Eye and Dunsden, Berkshire.