J T Turner

JAMES THOMAS TURNER

Headmaster 1948-58

Mr Turner, colloquially known to the boys as “JTT”, or, less respectfully, “Eggy”, was born on 13th April 1892 in Dudley and attended Wolverhampton Grammar School. After teacher training in Dudley he began his teaching career in 1910 as an Assistant Master at Christchurch School, Colesley, Bilston and then at Hadleigh Council School, Essex from 1913 to1915.

During the First World War, from 1915 to 1919, he was a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps, serving in the Middle East and India. On his return he went to Pembroke College, Cambridge where he was a regular player in the College football team, and where he obtained a BA degree with Honours in English. He resumed his teaching career in 1921 at Rastrick Grammar School where he remained until 1924 when he was appointed Second Master, under Rolfe G Martin in the newly set-up County Secondary School, Worthing, later to be known as Worthing High School for Boys.

Over the next twenty or so years JTT played a significant role in establishing and nurturing the life and ethos of the school as it rapidly grew in size. He also took on the role of Assistant Headmaster of part of the school during the turbulence caused by the evacuation of the school in the early part of the Second World War, and later during the illness of Mr Martin.

His activities extended beyond the school’s purely academic functions. It was he who wrote the School Song and founded the Dramatic Society and the school magazine “The Azurian” - on which he acted as Advisory Editor for many years. In the years leading up to the Second World War he was a staunch supporter of the League of Nations, speaking at meetings held across the county, and during the war was, as a commissioned Flight Officer RAFVR, in charge of 974 Squadron ATC and also OF 45F (Worthing) Squadron. The Old Boys were not denied JTT’s time either for he was President of the Old Azurians Association and Vice-President of the Old Azurians Cricket Club.

When Mr Martin died during the autumn term in 1947 JTT took over the Headmaster post, though it was not made official until the summer of 1948, and he brought to that role the same qualities of leadership, tact and understanding that he had exhibited throughout his time as Second Master. Supported by able and dedicated staff he oversaw the school as it grew and blossomed, not only in its academic achievements but in the citizens it produced for the community at large.

The staff, some of whom had known him as colleague as well as Headmaster, held him respect, were grateful for his unstinting support of the Common Room, and much appreciated the generous hospitality he and Mrs Turner extended to them and their families at Christmas time.

There are some older boys still with us who will remember JTT as the English Master who agreeably but firmly led them to success in the School Certificate Examination and beyond, and as House Master of the Angles. Younger ones will remember him as Headmaster, a man of high principles, forceful when needed, but unreserved in praise when merited.

JTT retired in the summer of 1958, leaving behind the school that had featured so largely in his life for nearly 35 years and which he had been a part of through its infancy, adolescence and adulthood, but his legacy remained.

James Thomas Turner died on 6th February 1961, aged 68. A memorial Service was held in the school at morning assembly on 9th February when Mr J Johnson delivered an appreciation of him and his work. Many of the staff and boys attended the funeral service later that morning at Tarring Parish Church. The large congregation also included old boys, parents, members of the Town Council, other Headmasters, and members of the Rotary Club. The Headmaster read the lesson and the singing was led by the School Choir.