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Auction: 22103 - Orders, Decorations and Medals VII - e-Auction
Lot: 612

(x) 'I hope it is possible for the Allied authorities to give these lads a decent burial, and I wish to tell you, Sir, these lads died through the lack of medical attention and supplies. The Hun is as responsible for their death, just as if he had shot them'

A letter by Warrant Officer R. Kemp, refers

Five: Warrant Officer Class I, A. F. Turner, Royal Canadian Air Force, served as a Wireless-Op/ Air Gunner over Germany and died a victim of the 'Lamsdorf March'

1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence and War Medals, silver issue; Canadian Voluntary Service Medal, with clasp; Canadian Memorial Cross (W. O. 1 W. O. A. G. A. F. Turner R92602), in its case of issue, good very fine (5)

Alan Frederick Turner was born at Calgary, Alberta on 18 November 1920, the son of Frederick and Elizabeth Turner of 128-15th Avenue, N.W. Calgary. Working as a Taxi Driver on enlistment with the Royal Canadian Air Force (Special Reserve) on 18 February 1941 with the rank of Aircraftman Class II. Trained at Brandon, Manitoba he was promoted Sergeant on 7 November and early the next year Flight Sergeant on 7 May 1942.

Turner had clearly decided he wishes to fly and was further advanced Warrant Officer Class II on 7 November 1942 and finally Warrant Officer Class I. Training as a Wireless Operator and Air Gunner he was poste dto No. 102 (Ceylon) Squadron at Pocklington, England. Here Turner flew on Halifax bombers in their strikes at Germany and took part in many sorties with the unit. Unfortunately his craft was shot down by flak over Dusseldorf and crashed into the Waddenzee stretch of coastline. Turner was one of three members of the crew who earned their place in the Caterpillar Club by successfully parachuting away from the wreck.

Taken prisoner Turner was interned in Stalag VII-B at Lamsdorf, Germany with the number 27384. When Russian troops began to press against Germany's Eastern Border the German authorities started the process of moving prisoners further inland. As the weather grew worse the prisoners were turned out from the camps, some allowed to bring possessions some not, according to the whim of the guards. Forced to march constantly in terrible conditions many of the prisoners fell ill including Turner who eventually reached such a state that he could not go one. The War Crimes report filed by W/O Dolton and W/O Catt tells of what followed:

'I wish to report, sir, the death of W/02 AF Turner, RCAF, and two others, names unknown, but both of the army, who died through the lack of medical attention and equipment, between March 1st-4th (soldiers) and the night of 4-5th March of W/O Turner. Eleven of us were turned into a old house at ZEITZE as we were ill. A Russian doctor (POW believed) was supposed to be in attendance. He had only 6 doses of opium for seven dysentery cases. He had to attend working camps and therefor [SIC] could be very little with us. These 3 died and had to be buried without any form of service (British or German) and the only German authority present, was the gurard [SIC] who was with us to prevent escape, W/O Catt, RAF buried these men.'

When the bodies buried at Zeitz were exhumed they were misidentified as American Airmen and re-buried in an American Military Cemetery and none of the remains could be positively identified as Turner. As such he is considered to have no known grave and is instead commemorated upon the Runnymede Memorial. Turner's Caterpillar Club membership card was sent to his father by Warrant Officer R. Kemp; sold together with copied research including service papers; correspondence to the recipient's father and reports surrounding his death as well as Commonwealth War Graves details, casualty lists and a related article from the Bugle newspaper.
For the medals of his father see Lot 486.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£580

Starting price
£280