| Surname: | Turner |
| Initials: | W H |
| Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Army Number: | P/4958 |
| Notes: | MFP. Awarded the Victory and War Medals. First served abroad (1) France, 20/1/1917. Extract from the Western Times, 3/6/1938, Devon PC Retires To His Native Devon. PC William Henry Turner, who retired on Monday after 26 years in the Devon Constabulary, is making his home at West Down, about four miles from Ilfracombe. Where he was born, and he is going to live in the same house in which he was brought up. Constable Turner has been stationed in the Crediton district for the past 10 years. He joined the Devon Constabulary in 1912 at Dartmouth and from there he was transferred to Blackawton. In 1916 he joined His Majesty's forces, serving the three years in the Military Foot Police on the Somme. On being demobilised in 1919 he joined the Devon force and was stationed at Torquay. It was here that he stopped a runaway horse and wagon in Market street. He remained in Torquay until 1922 when he was transferred to Crediton, leaving in 1928 for Chawleigh. After being stationed there for about 12 months he was transferred to Sandford, and in 1933 he returned to Crediton. He was last year awarded the King's Coronation medal and ribbon. PC Turner won many friends and proved himself a most efficient officer. For 12 years he was a member of the Crediton brand of the British Legion, serving on the General Committee, and was a valuable member of the Branch Benevolent Committee. Extract from the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette 3 June 1938. DEVON CONSTABLE'S RETIREMENT. Police Constable W H Turner, of the Devon Constabulary, who, on Monday last, retired from the force after serving 26 years, has been stationed in the Crediton district for the past 16 years. He joined the Devon Constabulary in 1912 at Dartmouth, and was transferred to Blackawton, During the Great War he served in the Military Foot Police in France. On demobilisation he rejoined the Devon Constabulary at Torquay and in 1922 he went to Chawleigh and in 1929 to Sandford, near Crediton, returning to Crediton in 1933. He was awarded the Coronation Medal last year. For twelve years he was a member of the Credition British Legion, serving on the General Committee, and being a member of the Branch Benevolent Committee PC Turner is going to live in the same house that he was brought up in at West Done, near Ilfracombe. |