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Australia

Phillip was one of six children -Camille, Nancy, Phillip, Esmae, Norma and Dudley (dec) - born to Frederick and Ethel Turner. Frederick was a motor garage proprietor in Cowell. Phillip attended the Cowell School and was a musician in the Cowell Brass Band. After leaving school, he worked as a blacksmith and an ice manufacturer.

On the 4th June 1940, Phillip Turner enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force. He initially trained as a fitter - then advanced to the position of Flight Engineer. He transferred to the Royal Air Force under Coastal Command flying Sunderland flying boats.

In March 1943 Phillip’s Sunderland fought off two Junkers Ju 88 and two Messerschmitt fighters and returned safely near the beach though the Sunderland was so full of bullet holes the crew had to bail out seawater with hats and anything else they could find.

On 2 June 1943 while on patrol for enemy submarines over the Bay of Biscay, Phillip and his crew bravely fought off eight Junkers Ju 88 fighter bomber aircraft. This action took forty minutes and of the eleven crew, one lost his life. They were able to land their badly damaged aircraft on the beach at Praa Sands (Cornwall). For this action four airmen were recognized with awards and one mentioned in dispatches.

From Sir Charles Portal, Chief of Air Staff, I have just read the account of flight Sunderland N/461 against 8 Ju 88 on 2nd June. I should like F/L Walker and the surviving members of his gallant crew to be told of the admiration and pride I felt on reading the details of this epic battle which will go down in history of one of the finest instances of this war, of the triumph of coolness, skill and determination against overwhelming odds. I am sure that not only the heavy losses inflicted on the German fighters but above all the spirit and straight shooting of the crew will have made a profound impression on the morale of the enemy in the Bay of Biscay and will thus greatly assist on the war with the U boats. (aircrewremembered.com)

From official records:  A Sunderland aircraft DV 968 of No 461 squadron, RAAF, with a crew of 11, was airborne at PEMBROKE Rock (South Wales) at 0708 hrs. on 13th August 1943, detailed for an Anti-submarine patrol over the Bay of Biscay. During the patrol a signal was received that they were being attacked by enemy aircraft, and no further word was received after that. From that time a continuous search has been made for this aircraft and crew and is continuing.

Trove: Eyre Peninsula’s Tribune

"We regret to learn that Mr. F N Turner, of Cowell, has received further words from the military authorities to the effect that little hope is now entertained as to the safety of his only son Phil, who was reported missing as a result of enemy action. Flight Engineer Turner transferred to the R.A.F. and saw considerable service in Egypt, England and was reported missing several months."

Flight Sergeant Turner and crew have no known grave. He is commemorated at Runnymeade Memorial, Surrey, England, at the Cowell cenotaph and at the Cowell cemetery alongside his parents.

Links/Information:

World War 2 Biographies (Folder, located at Cowell RSL) Stocker, B.

National Archives Australia Phillip Kelvin Turner https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=1082069&isAv=N

VWMA Virtual War Memorial | Phillip Kelvin TURNER

UK, World War II Index to Allied Airmen Roll of Honour, 1939-1945 - Ancestry.com

02.06.1943 461 Squadron, RAAF Sunderland GR3 EJ134 UT:N Flt Lt. Colin B. Walker

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C147771

https://aircrewremembered.com/walker-colin.html

Father’s occupation

https://www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/1207/images/44400_b219751-00082?rc=&queryId=133de62e-57f2-4fa7-b12b-fec495ed7e2a&usePUB=true&_phsrc=pir10&_phstart=successSource&pId=194682005

CALL SIGN ‘N for NUTS’ – AGAINST OVERWHELMING ODDS  Edmunds, G.  Merlinus Publishers

https://www.merlinuspublishers.co.uk › george-edmunds

WW2 Full Biographies. Folder – Cowell RSL. Stocker, B.