Victor Hugh Perfect TURNER
Victor Hugh Perfect TURNER
AKA Victor TURNER
* Nickname: Playboy, The Inspector, Lyndale, Denali, Hurry Up
Late of Lake Cathie, NSW
Relations in ‘the job’:
“possible” relation in ‘the job‘: ?
NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern / Police Training College – Penrith / Belmore Barracks Class # ? ? ?
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # ???
Rank: Commenced Training at ? Police Academy on Monday ? ? ?
Probationary Constable- appointed ? ? ?
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( YES )
Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ? ( N/A )
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed ? ? ?
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed ? ? ?
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed 15 October 1949
Acting Inspector 3rd Class – appointed 22 December 1949
Inspector 3rd Class – appointed 15 January 1950
Inspector 2nd Class – appointed 1 May 1951
Inspector 1st Class – appointed 26 December 1953
Acting Superintendent – appointed 1 August 1954
Superintendent 3rd Class- appointed ? ? ?
Superintendent 2nd Class – appointed 22 December 1956
Final Rank: = Superintendent 2nd Class
Stations: ?, Balmain ( 1927 / 1929 ), Petersham ( 11 Division ), Darlinghurst ( 3 Division )( ? – 1949 ), Regent St ( 2 Division ), Parkes ( Supt 2/c ) – Retirement
Time employed ( Paid ) with NSW Police: From: ? ? 1920 to Friday 30 January 1959 = 38 /39 years,
Service ( From Training Date ) period: From ? ? 1920 to Friday 30 January 1959 = 38/39 years, Service
Retirement / Leaving age: = ?
Time in Retirement from Police: 15 years, 7 months, 21 days
Awards: Kings Police & Fire Services Medal for Gallantry in 1945 – granted ? ? ?
Born: Tuesday 31 January 1 899 at North Botany, NSW
Died on: Friday 20 September 1974
Age: 75 years, 7 months, 20 days
Organ Donor: Y / N / ?
Cause: ?
Event location: ?
Event / Diagnosis date: ?
Funeral date: ? ? ?
Funeral location: ?
LIVE STREAM N/A
Wake location: ???
Wake date: ???
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Grave Location: Section: Row: ? Plot: ?
Grave GPS: ?, ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( May 2024 )
VIC is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT JOB RELATED
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal
May they forever Rest In Peace
https://www.facebook.com/groups/AustralianPolice.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NSWFallenPolice/
Australian Police YouTube Channel
Victor Hugh Perfect Turner was born 31 January 1899 at North Botany, the name ‘Perfect‘ was his mother’s maiden name.
He was one of three brothers and three sisters.
Some of the brothers fought in World War One but his older brothers made it quite clear that he should not enlist for the war due to the terrible conditions, he instead joined the NSW Police Force.
Victor Turner married on 21 January 1922 to Sylvia Gladys Shipley at Auburn, NSW. He was 22 at the time and a police constable.
Turner was stationed at Petersham police station then Darlinghurst leaving there in 1949. He also did an exchange with the Adelaide police in the late 1940’s, his final post was Parkes Police station as Superintendent 2nd class when he retired on 30 January 1959. During his time with Darlinghurst Police Turner was shot twice during a gun battle on 13 January 1945 with one Stephen Henry Cunningham. Another police office was also severely wounded and they both received a promotion and were awarded the Kings Police and Fire Services medal for Gallantry, by Lieutenant Governor Sir Frederick Jordan at Government House in early 1946. Turner died on the 20 September 1974 and was given a police escort at his funeral.
Police uniform worn by Victor Hugh Perfect Turner
Object No. 2021/30/1
The police uniform was worn by Victor Hugh Perfect Turner (1899-1974). It includes a jacket, trousers, braces, a pith helmet and collection of police badges and buttons. It is a fairly rare survivor from policing in NSW during the 1940s and 50s. The initial police uniform in 1862 was heavy weight wool and there were very few major changes until 1946 when an open tunic and tie became part of the uniform. The Pith helmet was worn during traffic patrols.
The New South Wales Police force is one of the largest police organisations in the English-speaking world. It began as the first civilian police force in Australia, known as the ‘night watch’ it was started by Governor Arthur Phillip in 1789 to guard the town of Sydney. In 1862 all the watch teams were united under the Police Regulation Act to form the NSW Police Force.
Victor Turner served as a policeman at Petersham, Darlinghurst and Parkes police stations between 1920 and 1959.
Retiring at the rank of Superintendent 2nd class.
Turner was awarded the Kings Police and Fire Services Medal for Gallantry in 1945.
Turner, then Detective Sergeant third class and his colleague Sergeant third class, Horace Victor Hughes both of Regent Street Police Division were shot when attempting to arrest Stephen Henry Cunningham on 15 January, 1945.
Cunningham was a soldier who had gone Absent Without Leave (A.W.L.) and was wanted by police for assault on a Chippendale pawnbroker.
This incident is a reflection of the economic and social conditions in Darlinghurst in the 1940s, It was a tough landscape both for the public and the police.The area was emerging from the renowned ‘razor gang’ wars of the 1920s and 30s, where the battle for the control of cocaine had raged. Australia, like many countries, was recovering from the impact of a recent economic depression and World War Two. In Sydney, in 1945, at the end of the war many soldiers had deserted.
Turner’s grandson Rick Sieber remembers ‘He was a big, tough and no nonsense man, who liked to place the odd bet on the horse races. He also played chess occasionally and didn’t like to lose. He would not talk about his time in the police nor any of the cases he worked on’ [1]
This collection contains objects of significance documenting aspects of New South Wales Police history during the1940-50s.
Anni Turnbull, Curator, 2021
1 Email correspondence with Rick Sieber, 19 January 2021
Powerhouse Collection – Police uniform worn by Victor Hugh Perfect Turner
Police trophies presented to Victor Hugh Perfect Turner
Object No. 2021/30/2
1949
These trophies and ceremonial plate were given to Victor Turner by his Darlinghurst police colleagues when he left in 1949.
The trophies have a series of nicknames inscribed on them: ‘Playboy’, ‘The Inspector’, ‘Lyndale’,’ Denali’ and ‘Hurry-Up’ which give some sense of his personality.
The plate is inscribed with ‘To Vic from his friends at Darlinghurst, 4-10-49‘ showing the high esteem in which Turner was held.
Victor Turner served as a policeman at Petersham, Darlinghurst and Parkes police stations between 1920 and 1959. Retiring at the rank of Superintendent 2nd class.
Turner was awarded the King’s Police and Fire Services Medal for Gallantry in 1945.
During his time with Darlinghurst Police Turner was shot twice in a gun battle on 13 January 1945 with one Stephen Henry Cunningham, a soldier who had gone Absent Without Leave (A.W.L.) and attempted to rob a pharmacy.
Another police office was also severely wounded and both were awarded the Kings Police and Fire Services Medal for Gallantry in 1945 and received promotions.
This incident is a reflection of the economic and social conditions in Darlinghurst in the 1940s, it was a tough landscape both for the public and the police.The area was emerging from the renowned ‘razor gang’ wars of the 1920s and 30s, where the battle for the control of cocaine had raged. Australia like many countries was recovering from the impact of a recent economic depression and World War Two.
In Sydney, in 1945, at the end of the war many soldiers had deserted.
Turner’s grandson Rick Sieber remembers ‘He was a big, tough and no nonsense man, who liked to place the odd bet on the horse races. He also played chess occasionally and didn’t like to lose. He would not talk about his time in the police nor any of the cases he worked on’. [1]
These well provenanced objects are rare examples of personalised trophies and awards given to individuals during the 1900s.
The Museum holds a collection of trophies to winners of sporting events including horse and motor racing, cricket, boxing and sculling. This collection contains objects of significance documenting aspects of New South Wales police history during the 1940-50s.
Anni Turnbull, Curator, 2021
1 Email correspondence with Rick Sieber, 19 January 2021
Powerhouse Collection – Police trophies presented to Victor Hugh Perfect Turner
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001),
Friday 31 May 1957 (No.61), page 1691
APPOINTMENTS.
Premier’s Department.
HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council has approved of:—
(a) Cancellation of the assignment of Superintendent 2nd Class Victor Hugh Perfect Turner to charge of the Western Police Administrative District, with headquarters at Parkes, as on and from the date of relinquishing that charge;
(b) Appointment of Inspector 1st Class John Henry Dogan as Acting Superintendent of Police, and his assignment to charge of the Western Police Administrative District, with headquarters at Parkes, each to take effect as on and from the date he takes over charge of the Western Police Administrative District.
J. J”. CAHILL, Premier.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/220353825
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001),
Friday 13 August 1954 (No.125), page 2447
APPOINTMENTS.
Premier’s Department.
HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, has approved the following:—
Cancellation of the assignment of Superintendent 3rd Class Bruce Grigor to charge of the Western Police Administrative District, with headquarters at Parkes,— on and from the date of relinquishing that charge.
The appointment of Inspector 1st Class Victor Hugh Perfect Turner as Acting Superintendent of Police,—to take effect as on and from the 1st August, 1954, and his assignment to charge of the Western Police Administrative District, with headquarters at Parkes,— to take effect as on and from the date he takes over charge of the Western Police Administrative District.
The appointment of Inspector 1st Class Jack Edwin Gribble as Acting Superintendent of Police,—to take effect as on and from the 1st August, 1954.
J. J. CAHILL, Premier.
Department of the Attorney-General and of Justice.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/220292431
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001),
Friday 1 June 1951 (No.90), page 1598
APPOINTMENTS.
Premier’s Department.
HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, has approved of the undermentioned Police promotions, to take effect on and from the 1st May, 1951:—
Inspector 1st Class Henry Boswell to the rank of Superintendent 3rd Class.
The following Inspectors 2nd Class to the rank of Inspector 1st Class:—
Henry Ernest Snowden, Peter Roland Clifton.
The following Inspectors 3rd Class to the rank of Inspector 2nd Class:—
Charles Edward Kennedy, Berty Bernard Parker, Ernest Sidney Fairlamb, Walter Alfred Leslie Crimston, Victor Hugh Perfect Turner.
The following Sergeants 1st Class to the rank of Inspector 3rd Class:—
Edward James Ayres, Frederick Stanley Windsor, Harold Vincent Jones, Stanley Fowler Willis, Harold August Briese, Cecil Stanley Jardine, Norman Thomas William Allan, Matthew, William Dill Macky Chaseling, James Hector Rogers, Gordon Mitchell Campbell, Arthur Norbert Carmichael, Glenville Nelson McKeachie, Edward Cranston.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/220112254
Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954),
Tuesday 27 November 1945, page 5
AWARDED MEDAL FOR GALLANTRY
The King’s Police and Fire Services’ Medal for Gallantry has been awarded to Detective-sergeants Horace Victor Hughes and Victor Hugh Perfect Turner.
Advice that his Majesty had approved of the award was received by the Lieutenant-Governor, Sir Frederick Jordan, yesterday.
The two detectives were wounded during a gun fight with Stephen Henry Cunningham, 24, whom they were attempting to arrest in a house at Redfern on January 13.
Hughes was shot in the stomach and Turner in an arm and leg.
The fight ended when Cunningham committed suicide.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/17961181
Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 – 1954),
Tuesday 16 January 1945, page 3
MURDER HUNT IN WEST
Inquiries into the murder of Maurice Joseph Hannigan (68), who was battered to death in a King-street shop last week, have extended to a town in western NSW.
Detectives from the CIB are in the town, and sensational developments are expected.
New evidence was obtained following a gun duel between Stephen Henry Cunningham, who committed suicide after shooting two detectives at Redfern on Saturday.
Detectives left for the country on Sunday, and it is likely that their inquiries will solve more than one recent major crime.
Wounded Detectives
Condition of Sergeant V. Hughes, one of the wounded detectives, continues to improve daily, and doctors are hopeful now that he will recover. Detective-Sergeant V. Turner, the other shooting victim, is improving rapidly.
Commissioner of Police ( Mr. W J. MacKay ) yesterday promoted both sergeants, and also promoted posthumously Constable Eric George Bailey, who was fatally shot at Blayney on Friday night.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/231710842
Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 – 1954),
Monday 15 January 1945, page 3
Police Expect To Solve Crime
New Clues In City Gun Shop Murder
Detectives investigating the murder of Maurice Joseph Hannigan (68), who was battered to death a King-street shop last week, expect to solve the crime within 48 hours.
New evidence was discovered following the gun duel in Pitt-street. Redfern, on Saturday, when two detectives were shot and Stephen Henry Cunningham (23) committed suicide.
It is expected that this evidence will help solve the Hannigan murder.
A young woman, whom Cunningham was visiting at Redfern, was interviewed by detectives yesterday.
Condition of Detective-Sergeant V. Hughes, one of the wounded detectives, had improved slightly today. He is still in a critical condition, however. Detective-Sergeant V. Turner, the other shooting victim, is improving rapidly.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/231719858
Daily Mirror (Sydney, NSW : 1941 – 1955),
Thursday 15 July 1943, page 2
Bloc Transfer Of Detectives
Wholesale transfer of six divisional detectives , stationed at Balmain was announced today.
A HIGH police official said today that the transfer of so many men from one station at the same time was unprecedented.
The officers concerned are: Detective Sergeants V. Turner, W. Robinson, Detectives E. Proud, B. Doyle, N. Sabine, and L. H. Davis.
Several of the men transferred have been stationed at Balmain for many years.
Superintendent Keogh, Chief of the C.I.B., said today that the transfers had been effected in the interests of the service.
The detectives will take up duties at various divisions in the metropolitan area.
Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 – 1954),
Saturday 2 December 1933, page 6
LIVED BY FRAUD
His “Cold-Blooded Business”
George Cooper, 47, who, according to the police, had made a livelihood chiefly by fraud, was sentenced at the Quarter Sessions yesterday to two years and a half Imprisonment. He was convicted of larceny and false pretences.
Judge Curlewis said that he would have made the term one of five years, and declared the prisoner an habitual criminal, if his frauds had been carried out on small shopkeepers, but the victims were big business people, who should have been able to look after their own interests.
Detective-Constable V. H. Turner said that Cooper, when arrested, said: “What I have done is cold-blooded business, and if firms come my way that is their fault.”
Further reading involving Victor TURNER:
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/182269488
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/36596704
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/239878205
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/46497918
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/17029043
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/169095639
21 Aug 1929 – Apprehensions. – Trove
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/143860053
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/246467265
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/247492359
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/248096520
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/236986516
Numerous other links can be found on Trove that relate to this man.
* Story behind any Nickname:
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
**********
Cal
27 May 2024
