Sir Walford Hollier Turner
(1881-1962), President of Wright's Ropes LtdSitter in 2 portraits
by Elliott & Fry
bromide print, 11 May 1951
NPG x91549
by Elliott & Fry
quarter-plate glass negative, 11 May 1951
NPG x100047
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Sally Hedges Greenwood ARPS
08 April 2018, 15:57
Sir Walford Hollier Turner was George and Sarah Turner’s oldest son. He was a Justice of the Peace and, in 1952, was awarded both his knighthood* and appointed High Sheriff of Warwickshire. His company, Wright’s Ropes, was involved in laying the second trans-Atlantic cable. His father, George Turner was my great-grandfather (Henry Turner’s) brother. George trained in mining engineering at Sandwell Park Colliery, West Bromwich, and rose to be the Agent and General Manager of The Assam Railway and Trading Company and in 1883 he left England, to open up coal mines in India, for which concessions had been obtained from the government, although the company was also involved in – among other things – timber cutting, saw mills and tea gardens. George and all eighty miners that had travelled with him, had survived a shipwreck off the coast of Morocco, on their way to Assam. His mother was Sarah Hollier.
*'Walford H. Turner made Knight Bachelor for Political & Public Services’. New Year Honours List. The Times, 1 Jan, 1952
Sir Walford Hollier Turner died in 1962 and his obituary in the Times shows that, like his father, Walford also achieved many great things during his lifetime: 'The Times, 10th August, 1962: Sir Walford Turner, who had a distinguished career in Midland industry died on Wednesday at the age of 81. His association with Wright's Ropes was notable. He joined the company almost as soon as it had registered in February 1899, became a director in 1908, chairman in 1934 and in 1957 was appointed president. He gave liberally of his time and considerable business knowledge to other concerns: in particular to the Rollason Wire Company: W. T. Avery and Avery-Hardoll, Parnoll and Sons, and the Birmingham local board of Barclays Bank. All of these he had served as chairman. From 1942 to 1956 he was on the council of Birmingham University and from 1944 to 1956 on the finance committee. He was High Sheriff of Warwickshire in 1951-52. Since 1937 he has been the Guardian of the Standard of Wrought Plate in Birmingham. He married in 1909 Elsie Rose, daughter of John Walsh, by whom he had one son.'