AC1 Francis Hugh Turrell was killed at 1.20pm, during the bombing raids on RAF Kenley on 18th August, 1940 – the Battle of Britain’s “Hardest Day”. He was laid to rest in St. Luke’s churchyard, Whyteleafe, at 11.00am on 26th August, 1940.
Francis was born in Coventry and was the son of Frank and Fanny Eliza Turrell, of Hackleton, Northamptonshire, who lived at 255 Allesley Old Rd, Coventry, at the time of Francis’s death. Tragically, they had already lost a son to a motorcycle accident a few years previously.
Francis was educated at Bablake School, where he passed the entrance exam for the RAF College at Cranwell. However, a reduction in personnel meant that he wasn’t accepted. Instead, it appears that he went to work for Messers. T. Bushill and Sons in Coventry, (possibly a printer, stationer and boxmaker), prior to volunteering for the RAF. In his spare time he arranged the lighting for various amateur dramatic productions.
Turrell’s funeral notice, in the Midland Daily Telegraph (24/8/1940), notes that:
He died as he would have wished, for King and country.
Rest in peace Sir and thank you for your service.
Service number
950387 Rank
Aircraftman First Class Date of death
18/08/1940 Age at death
25 Cause of death
WW2 Killed as a result of enemy action (ground) Grave or memorial details:
Row F, Grave 33B. Notes
Many thanks to Andy Long for his help with research and Fr.Dexter Bracey for photographing the WWII memorial at St. John the Baptist Church, Coventry. Midland Daily Telegraph 21st and 24th August, 1940. Author
Linda Duffield
No Comments
Add a comment about this page