Obituary: Navy hero an 'outstanding seaman'

Commander Brian Turner rose to the top ranks of the Navy. Herald Picture

Commodore Brian Edmund Turner, OBE, DSC, USA Legion of Merit. Died aged 89.

In 1950 Commander Brian Turner assumed command of the frigate HMNZS Rotoiti for her tour of duty with the United States naval forces in Korea during hostilities there.

His efforts were rewarded with the Legion of Merit, signed by the US President, Dwight D. Eisenhower.

In part, the citation reads: "Displaying outstanding seamanship and aggressiveness throughout this period, Commander Turner patrolled the lower Han River, controlling the water approaches to Seoul, and effectively protected the left flank of the Eighth Army on Kimpo Peninsula against enemy amphibious attack.

Although exposed to the constant navigational dangers of strong currents and shifting channels, and frequently within range of active enemy guns and mortar fire, he ably manoeuvred his vessel through restricted waters and executed harassing attacks against enemy ground forces."

Brian Turner joined the Royal New Zealand Navy Volunteer Reserve at 18 as an ordinary seaman in 1933, and was mobilised as a petty officer on the outbreak of World War II in 1939.

He served on patrol boats and minesweepers, and was involved in action against the Japanese on the cruiser HMNZS Gambia.

He received a permanent commission in the Navy in 1946, achieved his own command, of the corvette Arbutus, in 1948 and later that year became commanding officer of the frigate Kaniere. But it was on the Rotoiti that Commander Turner had his most exciting times.

The British freighter Hupeh was on its regular run from Tientsin in China to Hong Kong when she was boarded by pirates and the 20 passengers taken hostage.

The Rotoiti found the Hupeh and chased her through the night, eventually forcing the pirates to give up the ship.

Commander Turner restored the Hupeh to her crew, put the pirates on an island, and the passengers were safely landed in Hong Kong. For his part Turner was awarded a DSC (Distinguished Service Cross).

After the Korean War Turner was appointed drafting officer at the Navy's training base in Auckland, HMNZS Philomel, ending up as director of naval recruiting.

He was promoted to captain in 1957. Subsequent appointments included executive officer on the HMNZS cruiser Black Prince, superintendent of the naval dockyard in Devonport, Royal New Zealand naval liaison officer in London, and commanding officer of the cruiser HMNZS Royalist.

He became Second Naval Member of the Naval Board, effectively third in the board's hierarchy, and chief of naval personnel.

He retired from the Navy in 1966.

Brian Turner was born in Parnell, Auckland, and grew up in a house on the present site of St Mary's Anglican Church in Parnell Rd.

He retired to Parnell, living in a flat and running the resident's association with military precision. The flat-owners would meet in his home, where they would be fed with his muffins and leave with bundles of tomato plants that he had raised.

Commodore Turner is survived by his three sons, Richard, Rodney and Stephen, and their families.