The elder son of Leslie and Freda Turner of Milestone Cottage, Harrisons Lane, Ringmer, was Barry and he was born on 19th September 1919 in Kent. Before the War he worked in London for a bank and is thought to have joined the Territorial Army. He transferred to the Regular Army on the outbreak of World War Two and was in the Royal Corps of Signals at that time.

When the British Expeditionary Force of nearly 400,000 men sailed for France during the autumn of 1939, to help her repel the German invaders, Barry Turner was there. Along with the majority of that ill fated force he retreated and was rescued from the beaches at Dunkirk. Not all could retreat - many were killed or captured.

Following his return to Britain, Barry trained for and was granted a commission in the British Army on 23rd August 1941. His Regiment was the Royal Artillery and his service number was 201829. He was assigned to 300 Independent Anti-Tank Battery, which formed part of the 8th Army. On 1st October 1942, 2/Lt Turner was promoted and received the War Substantive rank of Lieutenant. He continued to serve in North Africa and took part in the various campaigns there.

On 7th July 1943 a task force sailed from Port Said in Egypt. Their objective was to assist in the capture of Sicily and their designated invasion area was the extreme south-east corner of the island. This part of the massive Allied operation was an amphibious assault by Montgomery’s 8th Army. 300 Independent Anti-Tank Battery was attached to 231 Infantry Brigade to defend them against Axis armour. By 08.30 on 10th July the bridgehead had been secured and all the anti-tank guns were ashore.

Gradually the Allies pressed ahead and the towns of Noto, Palazzolo and Buccheri were taken but 231 Brigade was held up by strong opposition at Vizzini on 13th July. Part of the 300 Battery was detached to accompany 23rd Armoured Brigade, and advance on Scordia. Casualties were sustained when the column was attacked by enemy aircraft on 15th July. The following day 300 Independent Anti-Tank Battery was ordered to rejoin 231 Infantry Brigade and proceed to Caltagirone which had been captured by the Canadians. During 17th and 18th July the Brigade fought its way to, and then occupied, the small village of Raddusa.

On 19th July, alongside the 2nd Devonshires, 300 Independent Anti-Tank Battery advanced against strong enemy positions. Severe casualties were incurred as the Brigade was held up by the enemy at a point midway between Raddusa and Agira in a narrow mountain pass. Lieutenant Turner and two others were killed by mortar fire and several men were wounded.

Initially Barry Turner and his men were buried by their comrades on the left of a mountain road in that pass at map reference: Sheet 268 (1/100,000), 475890. His body was later removed to a final resting place in Catania War Cemetery, Sicily. Barry is further commemorated on the stone tablet in Ringmer (New) Churchyard, which marks the burial place of his father. There is also a seat placed in his honour adjacent to the south wall of St. Mary’s Church near the porch.

Adapted from Valiant Hearts of Ringmer by Geoff Bridger: Ammonite Press, 1993