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The Life and Times of FJW Turner

 

This book was written by my father after the death of his second wife and I believe gave him a real purpose after his loss.  I transcribed the text into computer files but, with the exception of some spelling and grammatical changes, the words are his for better or for worse.  The whole has been put together in book form and professionally bound and he is very proud of it.  I have had to produce two other copies in plastic sleeves so that other people can borrow them to read as he will not let the proper one out of his sight.

I have a number of photographs to insert in due course but that will take some time and I do have to beware any copyright issues.

If anyone would like to comment, please e-mail me at jdtis@freeuk.com.

The book can be sensibly divided into three parts, those being Pre, During and Post RAF.

 Chapters 1 to 16 are concerned with the years 1914 to 1930.

Chapters 17 to 32 cover the period 1930 to 1945.

Chapters 33 to 41 are the Post War years, spent, except for holidays, in the West Riding of Yorkshire.

There is one "four" letter word in the text, but it is entirely relevant to the anecdote which takes place in West Africa.

John Turner

Contents

Chapter 1 Fragments of Early Memories Chapter 21 Conversion Course - RAF Henlow
Chapter 2 Thoughts on Early Childhood Chapter 22 79(F) Squadron - Biggin Hill, France, Acklington, Pembrey, Fairwood Common
Chapter 3 Life in Canterbury (Early days - Mostly School) Chapter 23 125 Squadron - Fairwood Common & Colerne
Chapter 4 Commentary on School Life Chapter 24 Betty Kathleen Ritchie (nee Turner)
Chapter 5 Life in Canterbury (Later Days - Out of School) Chapter 25 Sierra Leone
Chapter 6 Life in Willesborough Lees - Grandfather Ward Chapter 26 The Gambia - Bathurst
Chapter 7 Personalities - Union Street Chapter 27 Journey in West Africa - 1943
Chapter 8 Off to Egypt Chapter 28 The Gambia - Bathurst Again
Chapter 9 A Portrait of My Father Chapter 29 Home - September 1943
Chapter 10 Egypt and the First Year Chapter 30 16 Operational Training Unit (OTU) - Upper Heyford
Chapter 11 A Portrait of My Mother Chapter 31 Husbands Bosworth
Chapter 12 Egypt and the Second Year Chapter 32 Silverstone
Chapter 13 Egypt - General Memories Chapter 33 Life after the RAF
Chapter 14 Egypt and the Third Year Chapter 34 The Miracle
Chapter 15 Gibraltar and Home Chapter 35 August 1963 - July 1979
Chapter 16 Odd Memories of Egypt and Gibraltar Chapter 36 Odd Memories of My Life after the RAF
Chapter 17 RAF Halton - 21st Entry Chapter 37 July 1979 - 1992
Chapter 18 RAF Northolt - 41(F) Squadron Chapter 38 Days out and Holidays
Chapter 19 HMS Courageous Chapter 39 1993 - 2000 (The Beginning of the End)
Chapter 20 Air Navigation School Andover Chapter 40 A Lady of Courage - Our Final Year

Chapter 41  -  Miscellaneous Photographs

       
Annex A Hourglass Family Tree for FJW Turner Annex B Fg Off Joseph Barker Moss
Annex C HMS Courageous and 800 Squadron Annex D Personalities