Evelyn Turner
Encyclopedia
Brigadier
Dame Evelyn Marguerite Turner, DBE
, RRC
, QHNS, Hon ADC
(10 May 1910 — 24 September 1993), known as Margot Turner, was a British
military nurse and World War II
POW
. After the war she resumed her career with a succession of foreign postings.
from 1949 to 1974. She served as Matron-in-Chief of QARANC and Director, Army Nursing Services (1964-68) and was Colonel-Commandant of QARANC from 1969 to 1974.
held by the Japanese. The television series Tenko was created by Lavinia Warner
after she had worked as a researcher for the edition of the television programme This Is Your Life
which featured Turner, and was convinced of the dramatic potential of the stories of women prisoners of the Japanese.
Brigadier
Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
Dame Evelyn Marguerite Turner, DBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, RRC
Royal Red Cross
The Royal Red Cross is a military decoration awarded in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth for exceptional services in military nursing.The award was established on 27 April 1883 by Queen Victoria, with a single class of Member...
, QHNS, Hon ADC
Aide-de-camp
An aide-de-camp is a personal assistant, secretary, or adjutant to a person of high rank, usually a senior military officer or a head of state...
(10 May 1910 — 24 September 1993), known as Margot Turner, was a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
military nurse and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
POW
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
. After the war she resumed her career with a succession of foreign postings.
Career
Turner served with Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service from 1937 to 1949 and QARANCQueen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps
Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps is the nursing branch of the British Army and part of the Army Medical Services....
from 1949 to 1974. She served as Matron-in-Chief of QARANC and Director, Army Nursing Services (1964-68) and was Colonel-Commandant of QARANC from 1969 to 1974.
Prisoner of war
Turner's obituary in The Independent recounted her horrific experiences as a prisoner of warPrisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
held by the Japanese. The television series Tenko was created by Lavinia Warner
Lavinia Warner
Lavinia Warner created several successful TV series in the 80s and 90s, all of which featured women in the leading roles. These included the female internee drama Tenko for the BBC, secret agent drama Wish Me Luck for LWT and the less well-known taxi-firm series Rides , again for the BBC. For...
after she had worked as a researcher for the edition of the television programme This Is Your Life
This Is Your Life
This Is Your Life is an American television documentary series broadcast on NBC, originally hosted by its producer, Ralph Edwards from 1952 to 1961. In the show, the host surprises a guest, and proceeds to take them through their life in front of an audience including friends and family.Edwards...
which featured Turner, and was convinced of the dramatic potential of the stories of women prisoners of the Japanese.
Honours
- Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE; 1946)
- Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE; 1965)