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Herbert 'Bert' Gwyn Turner

I have great interest in Bert Turner, a Charlton Athletic stalwart 1933-1940. Then war came and from what I have managed to resource he only played a handful of games for Charlton between 1940/41 and 1944/45 seasons. I assume Bert joined the RAF -no proof- just due to him being selected and playing in Forces Representative games for the RAF (newspaper articles). I know Bert returned to Charlton after the war - The FA cup of 1946 is well documented when Bert had the misfortune to score for both sides. Can anyone please help with details/information on Bert Turner during the war years

Comments

  • edited March 2015
    EDIT: Out of date link re photos but a bit about his general life

    http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=456280.0
  • I see you come from the same town as Bert.

    A quick look at the Valiant 500 book just has him down as joining the RAF during the war although it also say he was with the Welsh Regiment until 1933.

    Eight full caps and Eight war time caps.

    One of the players who won back to back promotions and then finished runners up in the first division in consecutive seasons.

    I will see if the Charlton Athletic Museum has more.

    What, other than the location, is your interest in him?

  • I have found that there was a Herbet Gwyn Turner (which is the footballer's exact full name) who was an airman during WW2. His index tag is stamped "MILITIA" and his serial no. was 1192602. There is also a typed abbreviation or someone's initials, JH (I think it means something, but don't know what yet). That's all the info from the index. Sounds like he was an RAF reservist or was recruited from the militia, i.e. reserves. It is 99% probable that is him.

    Can't tell you more without having to pay to get at the records.
  • Thanks Len, I already seen the links you mentioned but thanks for taking interest
  • Hi Henry
    Bert Turner and I lived in the same village of Brithdir and a few doors away in the same street (Charles Street) although Bert had left for Charlton before I came along. My interest is solely in the War Years.
  • Hi MountsfieldPark
    That's the kind of info I am seeking, where did you find this, can you send me the link?
  • 1 This is free info in the National Archives:

    discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/addtobasket/C4005975

    - You should see a page titled "Name Range: Trivett, Anthony - Turner, Norris". Click on "add to basket" - don't worry, it's just the index and is free.
    - Go on to the checkout and there is a button to download a PDF of the index. It's a 250 MB file, so may take a few minutes. It's a zip and the big file 1.pdf is the one you want (2.pdf is the women). HGT is on page 1791 of 1989.

    **Please bear in mind that, although they are letting you copy this free of charge, copyright restrictions will apply.

    2 This is just an index known as AIR 79. Access to the more detailed files (known as AIR 78, I think) may still not be permitted for WW2 as some of the mission details, for example, are still considered sensitive. If he became an airman before that, you might be able to get access. Otherwise, if he's not a relative, it looks like it will be lot harder to get info.

    You can try googling for terms like airman, air 79 or air 78.

    nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/raf-rfc-rnas.htm

    blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/blog/air-79-name-indexing-the-records-of-raf-airmen/

    To be honest, I'm not 100% clear what the difference is between Air 78 and Air 79. Looking at various blogs and message boards, people seem to refer to both as an index.

    Good luck!
  • edited March 2015
    archive.iwm.org.uk/upload/pdf/RAFServRecords.pdf

    This document, written on the assumption you're actually looking for WW1 relatives, on the Imperial War Museum site seems fairly clear that you would not be allowed access to HGT's service record unless you can demonstrate you are next of kin:

    "If an individual had any service beyond the mid 1920s, or if he had a service number higher than 329,000, records will still be held at RAF Innsworth. You will need to apply in writing. A search fee of £25 is currently payable and you
    will need to prove that you are next of kin." Obviously, HGT's service number is number one million and something.

    ---

    I don't think I'm giving any sensitive info away to tell you that his family address in the 1911 census was 13 Charles St - perhaps you've already seen that!
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  • Hi MountsfieldPark
    Thank you for your time and effort, unfortunately I am not related so it would seem I've come up against a brick wall. I know Bert had a daughter Jillian who married Bo George Roswall 26 Aug 1961 at Manston, her father Herbert was listed as Innkeeper of The Jolly Farmer in Manston. My efforts to locate her has failed, which is such a pity as it is only his war service that's missing from his life story.
    Best Regards
  • Are you writing a book?
  • edited March 2015

    Hi MountsfieldPark
    Thank you for your time and effort, unfortunately I am not related so it would seem I've come up against a brick wall. I know Bert had a daughter Jillian who married Bo George Roswall 26 Aug 1961 at Manston, her father Herbert was listed as Innkeeper of The Jolly Farmer in Manston. My efforts to locate her has failed, which is such a pity as it is only his war service that's missing from his life story.
    Best Regards

    http://www.geni.com/people/Bo-Roswall/6000000013940348782

    Don't know whether this helps.

    EDIT: You can send Bo Roswall a message via the site it appears.
  • Thanks Len; I have just sent him a message and await a reply (fingers crossed)
  • Thanks, I'm a trustee of the Charlton Athletic Museum so anything we can find were happy to give you.

    Would live to see the article
  • Good thread.

  • I have his early life in the village, and I have some interesting details of his army service in India. He returned to his birthplace in 1933 and shortly after signed for Charlton Athletic. His career with Charlton is well documented, as is his international games for Wales. I have found some newspaper articles of his RAF football, but I assume there has got to be more about Bert during that period.
  • Henry
    I have a copy of Jack Rollin's "Soccer at War 1939-45". According to Rollin's Herbert G Turner played 18 times for Charlton between 1941-1945. 40/41 (2), 41/42 (6), 42/43 (6), 43/44 (3) and 44/45 (1). I wonder if the museum has programmes for these games? I would assume from this that Bert was stationed locally. He also guested for Lovell's FC of Newport, South Wales, but unfortunately I've not found any records, it does suggest that at some point he may have been stationed at the RAF base at St Athan.
  • He also played 19 times (one goal) in 1939 /40 souther regional league and three times in the official 39/40 season.

    he didn't play in any of Charlton's three war time finals.
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  • I've found a possible meaning of "JH" on his index record. It might be a squadron code and there are several possible squadrons.

    JH No. 303 (Polish) Squadron RAF
    JH No. 317 Squadron RAF
    JH No. 74 Squadron RAF

    en.wikipedia.orgwikiList_of_RAF_Squadron_Codes
  • Henry
    I have a copy of Jack Rollin's "Soccer at War 1939-45". According to Rollin's Herbert G Turner played 18 times for Charlton between 1941-1945. 40/41 (2), 41/42 (6), 42/43 (6), 43/44 (3) and 44/45 (1). I wonder if the museum has programmes for these games? I would assume from this that Bert was stationed locally. He also guested for Lovell's FC of Newport, South Wales, but unfortunately I've not found any records, it does suggest that at some point he may have been stationed at the RAF base at St Athan.

    My grandad was stationed at St Athan during the war - my mum born in Llantwit Major as a result giving me Welsh heritage ( of which I am proud!)
  • Thanks Len; I have just sent him a message and await a reply (fingers crossed)

    Hope you get a reply.

    Keep us posted.
  • Hi Len
    I have had a reply off Bo Roswall but unfortunately he cannot help with anything about the War Years.
    Regards, Roy
  • Hi Len
    I have had a reply off Bo Roswall but unfortunately he cannot help with anything about the War Years.
    Regards, Roy

    That's a shame.
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