Frederick Eley Turner
In the 1911 census he was a contractors clerk.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Frederick was the son of Frederick, a brewery manager and Selina Turner née Johnson of 9 Wellington Square Derby Road Nottingham.
His father was born in 1869 at Lavenham Suffolk, his mother iat 1871 in Nottingham. They were married in Haverhill in 1893 and had four children, all born in Haverhill, Edith 1895, Frederick Eley 1897, Alexander George 1899 and Grace 1905. Alexander's father died in 1910 in Haverhill aged 42.
Selina then returned to Nottingham and in 1911 was living with her four children, Edith (16) a clerk, Frederick (14) a contractor’s clerk and Alexander (120 and Grace (6). Also at the address was Selina’s sister Agnes Johnson (46) a milliner.
Upon his entry into the Royal Air Force his address was 9 Wellington Square, Lenton Sands Nottingham.
2nd Lieutenant Frederick Eley enlisted at Nottingham he initially served with the service number 71809 in the Sherwood Foresters Regiment, and then served with the West Yorkshire Regiment, He landed in France on 11th September 1915, he was gazetted to 2nd Lieutenant on 20th September 1918. he was serving with the 20th Squadron Royal Air Forece when he was killed in action on 27th September 1918 he is buried at Grand-Seraucourt British Cemetery,Aisne, France
20 Squadron was formed at Netheravon on 1st September 1915. By the time of the formation of the Royal Air Force (1st April 1918) they were equiped with Bristol Fighters (the "Brifit") for their role as fighter/reconnaissance. They were not granted their badge until 1937. At the time of Frederick's death they were operating from Proyart (roughly mid way between Amiens and Peronne). They were the highest scoring squadron in the Great War.
In September 1918, No. 20 Squadron were operating from Proyart. At 16.30 hrs on 27th September, Bristol F.2B fighters of No. 20 Squadron were in aerial combat over Marcy claiming four Fokkers shot down for the loss of one of their aircraft, No E2566, being flown by 2nd Lt. F.E. Turner & his observer 2nd Lt. C. E. Clarke, over Fontaine Notre Dame.
The Casualty Report states: 'Last seen north east of St Quentin in combat with an enemy aircraft. Reported missing, presumed killed in action.' Frederick was initially found by the enemy and buried in a German Cemetery.
Above information is courtesy of the Haverhill Remembered website.
He is also commemorated on the Haverhill War Memorial, Suffolk
additional research and information Peter Gillings
Photo of Frederick Eley Turner
Grand Seraucourt British Cemetery, courtesy of the cwgc