Transcript

of

Rev. Richard Turner [Obituary]

Trans. Devon Assoc., vol. 44, (1912). p. 43.

by

Maxwell Adams (Ed.)

Prepared by Michael Steer

The obituary was presented at the Association’s July 1912 Exeter meeting. The Association’s obituary to Mr Turner’s father William Turner, of The Barton, Bideford, may be accessed here. Rev Richard Turner, his son, served as curate, rector and vicar of several rural parishes and played a leading role in the restoration of Colyton Church. It was later badly damaged by fire (1933). He was finally, possibly as a preferment, inducted by the Lord Bishop of Exeter as Vicar of Barnstaple. Tragically his son; 2nd. Lt. Richard Radford Turner of the Sussex Regt., lost his life at Ypres. Rev Turner’s obituary can be found in a copy of a rare and much sought-after journal that can be downloaded from the Internet Archive. Google has sponsored the digitisation of books from several libraries. These books, on which copyright has expired, are available for free educational and research use, both as individual books and as full collections to aid researchers.

Mr. Turner, who was the son of Mr. William Turner, of The Barton, Bideford, matriculated at New College, Oxford, graduating as B.A. in 1878 and M.A. in 1881. Taking orders as deacon in 1880 and priest in 1881, he was curate of Dawlish, 1880-3, becoming successively Vicar of Bucks Mills, 1883-5; Rector of West Worlington, 1885-91; of Lydford, 1891-5; Vicar of Bickleigh, 1895-1902, and of Colyton, 1902-7, during which period the restoration of Colyton Church was carried out under his direction. In 1907 he was presented by the Bishop of Exeter with the living of Barnstaple, where he died, in full work, on 21 June, 1912, in his fifty- sixth year, his burial taking place in the family vault at Abbotsham. A man of high intellectual attainments and great tact, Mr. Turner was respected and admired as a clergyman, a preacher, and a poet. Gifted with a delightful personality, generous, genial, and kindly, he endeared himself to all with whom he came into contact, and he will be much missed and lamented by a host of friends. He was specially interested in education, and was a member of the Barnstaple Education Committee. He joined the Association in 1901. His wife, a son, and a daughter survive him.