Turner, Benjamin Horace

DESCRIPTION

NameTurner, Benjamin HoraceOccupationParachute Manufacturer, Scamp Swimwear Desginer, Pilot.Place of ResidenceClover, Macquarie Pass.BiographyBen Turner built his English Manor House, which he named 'Princess Manor', around a large rock on land he purchased at Clover Hill, Macquarie Pass.

Ben was born in London 1910, to Horace Edwin and Miriam Turner (nee Smith). He had an older sister, Dora Miriam b.1907. Ben's father worked as candle and soap manufacturer, and later a statistical clerk.

Ben was always interested in flying. At the age of 22 he made his first parachute descent, a risky thing to do in 1932. Over the years he made many jumps and achieved the fastest record for ‘World’s Timed’ parachute descent, jumping from an average of 600 feet, six times in just over 28 minutes.

In 1938, Denzil MacArthur Onslow who had obtained the rights to GP Parachutes in Australia employed Ben to manufacture parachutes for soldiers during World War 2. After the war, with no use for parachutes, Ben began sewing swimsuits (Scamp) made from the silk destined for the parachutes.

In 1949, due to ill health, Ben retired from the company. Ben, his wife Jean and their English Sheep Dog Roger, relocated to Clover Hill, Macquarie Pass. In the 1970s, the original Thomas family farmhouse which was home to Ben and Jean, was lost to fire. In the same decade the National Parks and Wildlife Service resumed his property to form part of the National Park.

Ben remained on the property for the rest of his life, and built another home around natural rock formations on the farm. Known locally as Ben’s Folly, the Tudor style house grew with each passing year and became a local icon to bush walkers and travellers up the Pass.

In May 2001, Ben Turner passed away at his Clover Hill home at the age of 91 years, and was remembered at a wake held in his honour at the Albion Park Hotel after his death.

External LinkAll over clover: they couldn't wait for me to die - by Ben Turner c.1968All Australian ParachuteParachute FactoryParachutist Turner Badly HurtParachuting Safer than MarryingPassengers Arriving by the Largs Bay TodayParachute Expert HereScamp Swim Suits Created by TurnerchutesThe Scamp Swim SuitOpera Top ScampThe ScampScamp Swim SuitsBe Right in the Picture in a 1948 ScampFitzgerald's For the New Scamp Swim SuitsBe Seeworthy in a ScampBe Seeworthy in a ScampScamp Created by TurnerchutesBe Seeworthy in a ScampThe ScampParachute Precision in a Turnershute Bather

Ben and Jean Turner with their dog Roger at Clover Hill, c.1955.

CONNECTIONS

CollectionPeopleClover Hill - Feature CollectionFamilyThomasLocalityMacquarie PassPlaceClover Hill

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Turner, Benjamin Horace