Born in Eastwood on 26 October 1888, Tom Turner was educated at Repton School, being in the Eleven from 1905 to 1907, heading the batting averages in the last two seasons. Making his First-Class debut for Notts v West Indians at Trent Bridge in August 1906, he still had a complete year at school after this appearance. Turner was a good stylish right-hand batsman, being shown to particular advantage against the faster bowlers; prior to his debut he hit 113 for the Amateurs v Professionals at Trent Bridge. His county career was very restricted, though in 1908 he appeared in seven matches. After a lapse of 13 years he reappeared v Essex at Trent Bridge in 1922, captaining the side instead of the absent Carr and played two useful innings of 39 not out and 29. In 1923 he hit 54 v the West Indies at Trent Bridge and played in three other games, but he did not reappear in 1924 or 1925. In 1926 he captained the team ten times in Carr’s absence and against Cambridge University scored 81 and, against Glamorgan at Trent Bridge, scored a career best 84 in 80 minutes. Turner’s final first-class match was at Fenner’s v Cambridge University in May 1927. In 26 first-class matches he scored 755 runs @17.97.
In 1921, Turner was a member of the Notts CCC committee. His family had a Wagon Works business at Langley Mill. Robert Harrison Thomas Turner died in Shipley, Derbyshire on 13 September 1947, aged 58 years. His brother Noel played 23 first-class matches for Notts between 1906 and 1909.
May 2020
Nottinghamshire First-Class Number: 296