Bombardier John Turbitt of Portadown, Co. Armagh died during the Dunkirk evacuation of 1940, last seen on the beach with others of 3rd Searchlight Regiment.
Bombardier
6974101
Bombardier John Turbitt (6974101) served in 12th Battery, 3rd (Ulster) Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery during the Second World War. He was the husband of Annie Turbitt of 7 Meadow Lane, Portadown, Co. Armagh. The couple had two young daughters Ruth Turbitt and Joy Turbitt.
In civilian life, John worked for the Henry Cable Co. in Belfast and in the inter-war years, had served in the Seaforth Highlanders in India and Palestine. He rejoined the army at the outbreak of the Second World War.
Bombardier Turbitt died between 30th May 1940 and 22nd June 1940. Prior to July 1941, he had been reported as missing although the last sightings had been on the beach at Dunkirk over a year earlier.
In October 1941, Annie received a letter from the King:
The Queen and I offer you our heartfelt sympathy in your great sorrow. We pray that your country’s gratitude for a life so nobly given in its service may bring you some measure of consolation.
Bombardier Turbitt’s grave is in Plot 1, Row 1, Joint Grave 1 of Dunkirk Town Cemetery, France. His name is on the Portadown War Memorial, Portadown, Co. Armagh.