TURNER, William Howard Batley
| Service Number: | 416297 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 28 April 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Flight Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Peterborough, South Australia, 16 April 1911 |
| Home Town: | Peterborough (Formerly Petersburg), South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | School teacher / headmaster |
| Died: | Elizabeth, South Australia, 1 November 1983, aged 72 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia Harmony/Wall 95/C005 |
| Memorials: | Municipality of St Peters Citizens Who Have Enlisted Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 28 Apr 1941: | Involvement Flight Lieutenant, 416297 | |
|---|---|---|
| 28 Apr 1941: | Enlisted Adelaide, South Australia | |
| 28 Apr 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 416297 | |
| 20 Mar 1945: | Discharged |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by N. Campbell
W. TURNER
William Howard Batley TURNER
Born PETERBOROUGH on 16th April 1911.
He enlisted into the RAAF reserve at ADELAIDE on 24-9-1940 and was described as 29years and 5 months of age, a married School Teacher living at TERKA near WILMINGTON. He was 5’9” tall, 125 lbs with a medium complexion, brown hair and Hazel eyes.
Will was married to Petra Ruth TURNER on the 6th January 1938, who lived at Pt Lincoln and at 73 Second Avenue ST PETERS during the time Will was away. Will and Petra had a son, John Garth TURNER born 8th December 1938, and a daughter Margaret Ruth TURNER born 8th April 1941.
Will was attested into the permanent forces (RAAF) on 28-4-1941. He was allocated RAAF service number 416297.
William was an airman and passed course as an observer and then navigator and later was promoted to a pilot officer and then a flying officer. Will passed high altitude operations courses, night operations courses
Will became a flying officer on 1-10-1942. By 29th March 1944 Will was with the “Pathfinders” and recommended for a transfer to take a roll as a ground based navigational instructor. With the application were some recommendations.
One read “This officer has been handicapped by sicknes which has finally reduced his ability to stand flying duties to a minimum. Despite this handicap of sickness he flew a great number of operational hours always suffering physical pain and illness whilst so doing. His success in the face of these adverse circumstances has been remarkable and stamps him as a man with unswerving devotion to duty and high service outlook. “
The commanding officers recommendation stated, “A good type of officer who has unfortunately been handicapped by illness. He should make a good ground navigation instructor. “
On the 20th March 1945 Will was discharged from the RAAF.
Will went back to teaching, something he was quite proficient at. Will was selected to be the Principal at EVANSTON Primary School which was officially opened on the 29th November 1963 but had opened to students on 6th February 1962!. The school had 218 students and seven teachers in eight classrooms.
The school expanded to 450 students.
Will eventually moved to the Elizabeth area. He died on the 1st of November 1983. On the 3rd November he was cremated and interred in the Harmony Wall area of the Centennial Park Cemetery.
Petra died at Melrose Park on the 17th of December 1997 and was cremated on the 19th of December and interred at Harmony Wall with Will. Finally reunited.
As he was teaching and living at TERKA on enlistment he is recorded on the TERKA Honour Roll which is now held and displayed at the WILMINGTON Soldiers Memorial Hall.
LEST WE FORGET
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