No.591870, Flt/Sergeant, Kenneth Reginald TURNER
Aged 21
Nothing shakes us
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Kenneth Reginald Turner was born in Ashley on 23rd December 1922 (Newmarket Q4-1922 3B:722)and baptised in Ashley cum Silverley on 28th January 1923.
He was the son of Reginald Ernest Willie and Elizabeth Mary Turner (nee BAXTER).
His father was a railway porter. He was educated at Soham Grammar School 1934-39 (from whose roll of honour the photograph above has been taken).
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55 Squadron RAF operated with Glenn Martin Baltimores from Biferno in Italy in Spring 1944. Call sign 'GM'. Unable to find any report of the loss of any of their aircraft on 7th April 1944 but three of the crew (Kenneth Turner, F/Sgt Tom Caldecutt and F/Sgt Kenneth Cowley were buried behind enemy lines at Giuncano Scalo and later moved to Assisi War Cemetery. The fate of the fourth crew member was not immediately found. Records show (RAF Form540):- BIFERNO, ITALY - April 7th - GOOD FRIDAY- "Whilst services were being held in Church, the Squadron made two further attacks on the hydro electric plant at PAPIGNO. That led by Wing Commander L.E.LEON DFC hit the chemical works adjoining, and that led by Squadron Leader L.L. HARLAND scored hits over the whole factory area. A failure of the ROME lighting system followed these attacks. One aircraft was lost on the mornings raid, following an attack by Me109s on the fighter escort. It is thought (though this cannot be confirmed) that one enemy fighter penetrated the escort screen, and fired a quick burst. Reports of the number of parachutes seen to open vary between one and three." Further checks came up with:- Baltimore IV FA623- "Q" crew F/Sgt Cowley, F/O D.Hetherton, F/Sgt Turner and F/Sgt Caldecutt. Twelve Baltimores led by the C.O. W/C Leon were airborne at 11:30 to attack the hydro electric works at Papigno near Terni. The target was attacked in fine weather by two boxes individually. The first box bombed at 12:47 hrs from 10,200 ft on a heading of 060. The second box made a dummy run and bombed at the second attempt from 10,300 ft on a heading of 050. The bombs fell slightly to port of the hydro electric plant, hitting the chemical works and warehouses. During the second run fighters (Me109s) attacked the second box. One a/c (pilot F/S Crowley) flying in N0 2 position blew up during the attack" Further checks with "Find my Past" reveal that F/O Hetherton was captured, thus accounting for all four crew members. |
A Baltimore of 55 Squadron
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