Trevor Turner (39-43) died in University College Hospital, London, on May 8
th, 2010, after a short pulmonary illness. He was 85. He was Vice President of the OP Society, twice Chairman of the Society, served on the committee for several six-year stints and edited the letters from OPs that appeared in the OP magazine in the 1980s and 1990s.
The funeral service was held on May 20th at St. Bride’s church in Fleet Street, London, where Trevor worshipped for many years and served as a church warden. A packed congregation heard the Rector of St. Bride’s, David Meara, pick out five words that summed up the best of Trevor – grace; truth; faith; hope; and love. Canon Meara concluded his address by saying: “We all knew a truly lovely man – above all, a man of faith to the very last.” Trevor’s protégé, the young Indian violinist Raja Halder who he sponsored through music college, performed Meditation from Thais by Massenet. His longtime friend Canon Bill Christianson (formerly chaplain to The Mission to Seafarers) gave the second reading from John 1. 1-14. More than a dozen OPs attended the service including the President of the OP Society and several past chairmen of the Society.
One of two Turners to attend the College (his brother Graham 36-39 preceded him), Trevor was fated to be at Pangbourne during the difficult war years – a subject he wrote about in Issue 14 of the OP magazine. Unexpected wartime departures meant that he went from being a Cadet Leader for half a term to Chief Cadet Captain of Harbinger in one promotion. In his article he recalled the first College dance (with Queen Anne’s Caversham in 1943) which he enjoyed, the compulsory boxing tournament in the Easter term which he hated, and the fun of performing in a rather rudimentary HMS Pinafore. The monotony of two-hour fire watches on top of Devitt House tower searching the night sky for enemy bombers was also remembered vividly. So was the sight of the first Gloucester Whittle jet plane, all in black, streaking over the College one early evening in June, 1943 – “history in the making” as he put it.
After the NCP Trevor joined the Royal Marines and left at the end of the war having risen to the rank of Captain. From 1946-53 he worked as a clerk with the government shipping agency HoggRobinson-CapelCure. Moving to Air India, he was employed in London as their UK sales marketing and publicity manager for 19 years until 1981 when he joined the Bond Street Association as executive officer. He never married and retired in 1992 to begin a new ‘career’ as a twice-a-year host with the California-based Royal Cruise Line. Here the dancing skills first learned at Pangbourne proved to be in great demand.
Throughout his life Trevor remained a great supporter of young people and the College. For more than 50 years he organized five-yearly reunions of the Cadet Captains at the College in 1943. On the occasion of the tenth reunion at the College in June, 1993, eight of the 14 attended and took the salute together at a march past – “a quite fantastic and emotional occasion for us” he wrote later.
Following his death tributes poured in. The Headmaster, Thomas Garnier, termed him “a really special man, a true gentleman.” OP President Robin Knight described Trevor as “the most loyal OP I have ever met - a true friend of Pangbourne.” OP Society Chairman Mark Dumas said he was “a delightful man and a staunch supporter of the College.” Shaun Maynard from Johannesburg (who knew Trevor in London) emailed to say that “he was always approachable, kindly and a great support - not to mention convivial company over a drop or two.” OP Society Committee member Anthony Fenwick-Wilson said that “Trevor was as proud of the NCP as we were of him.” Richard Shuttleworth, a friend of many years standing, called him “a gentleman of the ‘old school’ and a man of the highest principles.” Rev. Brian Cunningham, the College Chaplain, echoed these sentiments, describing Trevor as “a fine man with a generous and gracious spirit.”
Former Headmaster Peter Points writes: “Trevor's nephew David joined Harbinger on the first day of my first term (in 1969) and this confirmed a long-standing link with that family and its loyalty to the College. In my early days as Headmaster I relied heavily upon the goodwill of OPs, for some needed convincing of the wisdom of the change from Captain Superintendent. But the OP Committee and Trevor in particular, gave invaluable support and encouragement.”
Lionel Stephens adds: “Pat and I knew Trevor for over 40 years. He was both sincere and generous and maintained a unique devotion to Pangbourne throughout his life. As a former Chief, he was exceptional as he had no interest in sport. Soon after the war ended he became involved in OP affairs and was elected Chairman in 1956 when he played a prominent part in organizing a portrait for Harry Sykes. Essentially a city dweller, he loved the social life and smart occasions. Above all, he was a devout Christian who was deeply involved in the life of St. Bride’s church in London. We were privileged to regard him as a close friend.”