Robert Turkington

Robert Turkington

DSO DFC*
Nickname(s)Paddy
Born1920
Died29 July 1945(1945-07-29) (aged 24–25)
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service / branchRoyal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Years of service1940–1945
RankSquadron leader
Service number117519
UnitNo. 43 Squadron RAF
No. 241 Squadron RAF
No. 601 Squadron RAF
Battles / warsSecond World War

Robert Wilkinson "Paddy" Turkington, DSO, DFC & Bar (1920 – 29 July 1945) was a Northern Irish Second World War Royal Air Force (RAF) fighter pilot and flying ace. He had 9 confirmed kills, 3 shared kills, 1 probable kill, and 4 damaged aircraft; some sources credit him with 11 kills.[1][2][3]

Early life and education

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Turkington was born in 1920 in Mhow, British Raj[1] or in Derrytrasna, County Armagh, Northern Ireland.[4] Between 1933 and 1939, he was educated at Lurgan College, a grammar school in Craigavon, County Armagh.[4]

Military service

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Turkington enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) in 1940, and trained as a pilot in Canada.[1][5][6] On 1 October 1942, he was promoted from pilot officer (on probation) to the war substantive rank of flying officer (on probation).[7] He was promoted to war substantive squadron leader on 7 January 1944.[8]

Turkington first served with No. 43 Squadron RAF, and flew a Hawker Hurricane with them on the Dieppe Raid of 19 August 1942.[1] By November 1942, he was fighting over North Africa.[5] He converted to the Supermarine Spitfire in 1943, and was involved in fighting over Sicily and Italy.[5] By November 1943, he was a fighter ace, with at least 5 confirmed kills.[5] He flew a total of 766 operational hours with 43 Squadron.[1] He was then a flight commander in No. 241 Squadron RAF, during which he destroyed four Messerschmitt Bf 109s.[5] From July 1944 to January 1945, he was officer commanding No. 601 Squadron RAF.[9] Following Victory in Europe, he was based in Italy with No. 241 Squadron RAF.[1]

In January 1944, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).[10] In September 1944, he was awarded a bar to his DFC (i.e. awarded the medal for the second time).[11] In April 1945, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).[12] He also received the 1939–1945 Star, Africa Star with "North Africa 1942-43" clasp, Italy Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939–1945.[13] His medals sold in 2017 for £22,000.[6][3]

Having been killed in a flying accident on 29 July 1945,[1] he is buried in the Padua War Cemetery, Italy.[14]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Shores, Christopher (1999). Aces High Volume II. London: Grub Street. p. 188. ISBN 978-1902304038. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Turkington, Robert Wilkinson". 601squadron.com. 601 (County of London) Squadron. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  3. ^ a b McNeilly, Claire (21 November 2017). "Medals won by Lurgan Spitfire ace Turkington or sale as family bids to win him more recognition". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Lurgan College War Memorial". www.craigavonhistoricalsociety.org.uk. Craigavon Historical Society. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Remembering Lurgan boy who became one of Second World War's most decorated fighter pilots". News Letter. 4 May 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Auction: 17003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals Lot: 717". www.spink.com. Spink & Son. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  7. ^ "No. 35791". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 November 1942. pp. 5037–5039.
  8. ^ "No. 36330". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 January 1944. p. 314.
  9. ^ Rawlings, John (1976) [1969]. Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft (2nd ed.). London: Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd. p. 477. ISBN 0-354-01028-X.
  10. ^ "No. 36346". The London Gazette (Supplement). 21 January 1944. p. 483.
  11. ^ "No. 36346". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 September 1944. p. 4391. Flight Lieutenant Robert Wilkinson TURKINGTON, D.F.C. (117519), R.A.F.V.R., 241 Sqn. This officer has set a fine example of skill, determination and devotion to duty. He has completed a large number of sorties and much of the success, achieved by the squadron can be attributed to this officer's efficiency and resolution. During a sortie in July, he destroyed one and probably destroyed a second enemy aircraft although only one cannon was functioning in his aircraft. Flight Lieutenant Turkington is a gallant and inspiring Flight Commander.
  12. ^ "No. 37043". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 April 1945. p. 2102.
  13. ^ "Hero's medals may fetch £22k at auction". News Letter. 11 December 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  14. ^ "Squadron Leader Robert Wilkinson Turkington: War Casualty Details 2817532". CWGC. Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
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