Ronald William Turner

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Ronald William Turner
Born 17 November 1896
York, Yorkshire, England
Died Post 1 June 1919
Allegiance England
Service/branch Aviation
Rank lieutenant
Unit No. 20 Squadron RAF
Awards Distinguished Flying Cross

Lieutenant Ronald William Turner was an English World War I flying ace. He was credited with nine aerial victories while flying as an observer/gunner in two-seater fighters.

Early life

Ronald William Turner was born in York, England on 17 November 1897. The younger Turner worked for five years as a joiner and carpenter prior to joining the Yorkshire Regiment to serve in World War I.[1] He was promoted to Lance Corporal in the Yorkshires, then commissioned as a second lieutenant.[2]

World War I

Turner transferred from infantry duty to the Royal Flying Corps in December 1917.[3] By May 1918, he had completed training as an aerial observer, been posted to 20 Squadron, and begun his string of aerial success that would run until 29 July 1918. On 9 August 1918, he was medically evacuated to a London hospital.[4]

He was rewarded for his valour with the Distinguished Flying Cross[5] on 4 November 1918. His award citation short-changed him when it read:

"A skilful and determined observer who in recent operations has shot down six enemy machines, accounting for two Albatross scouts in one flight."[6]

He was subsequently promoted to temporary lieutenant, with seniority from 27 December 1918.[7] Upon recovery, he would serve at the School of Air Gunnery through the turn of the year, and with 50th TDS in early 1919.[8]

List of aerial victories

See also Aerial victory standards of World War I

No. Date/time Aircraft Foe Result Location Notes
1 18 May 1918 @ 1140 hours Bristol F.2b Fighter serial number B1168 Pfalz D.III Destroyed North of Neuf-Berquin Pilot: John Henry Colbert
2 4 July 1918 @ 1620 hours Bristol F.2b Fighter s/n C951 Albatros D.V Destroyed West of Veldhoek Pilot: Paul Iaccaci
3 4 July 1918 @ 1630 hours Bristol F.2b Fighter s/n C951 Albatros D.V Driven down out of control West of Veldhoek Pilot: Paul Iaccaci
4 4 July 1918 @ 1640 hours Bristol F.2b Fighter s/n C951 Albatros D.V Destroyed Northeast of Zillebeke Lake Pilot: Paul Iaccaci
5 10 July 1918 @ 0920 hours Bristol F.2b Fighter s/n D7919 Fokker D.VII Destroyed East of Zillebeke Lake Pilot: Paul Iaccaci
6 10 July 1918 @ 0920 hours Bristol F.2b Fighter s/n D7919 Fokker D.VII Driven down out of control East of Zillebeke Lake Pilot: Paul Iaccaci
7 14 July 1918 @ 0900 hours Bristol F.2b Fighter Fokker D.VII Driven down out of control Southeast of Ypres Pilot: Paul Iaccaci. Victory shared with Dennis Latimer and Tom Cecil Noel
8 24 July 1918 @ 2000 hours Bristol F.2b Fighter D7951 Fokker D.VII Destroyed North of Comines Pilot: John Colbert
9 29 July 1918 @ 2010 hours Bristol F.2b Fighter s/n D7951 Fokker D.VII Destroyed Northwest of Wervicq Pilot: John Colbert[9][10]

Post World War I

On 1 June 1919, he went on the unemployed list of the Royal Air Force[11] and disappeared into the mists of history.

References

  • Above the War Fronts: The British Two-seater Bomber Pilot and Observer Aces, the British Two-seater Fighter Observer Aces, and the Belgian, Italian, Austro-Hungarian and Russian Righter Aces, 1914–1918: Volume 4 of Fighting Airmen of WWI Series: Volume 4 of Air aces of WWI. Norman Franks, Russell Guest, Gregory Alegi. Grub Street, 1997. ISBN 1-898697-56-6, ISBN 978-1-898697-56-5.

Endnotes

  1. ↑ Above the War Fronts, p. 51.
  2. ↑ http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=5853848&queryType=1&resultcount=1 Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  3. ↑ Above the War Fronts, p. 51.
  4. ↑ Above the War Fronts, p. 51.
  5. ↑ Above the War Fronts, p. 51.
  6. ↑ (Supplement to the Edinburgh Gazette, http://www.edinburgh-gazette.co.uk/issues/13346/pages/4065 Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  7. ↑ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 29 October 1918, p. 13224.) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31622/supplements/13224 Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  8. ↑ Above the War Fronts, p. 51.
  9. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/turner3.php Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  10. ↑ Above the War Fronts, pp. 51–52.
  11. ↑ (The London Gazette, 1 June 1919, p. 7074.) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31380/pages/7074 Retrieved 24 September 2011.
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