Thanksgiving service hears of moving and glowing tributes to 'Mr Torquay' Hamish Turner

Mr Turner, formerly of “Woodah”, Babbacombe Road and Wellswood Park, Torquay, died aged 90.
A special eulogy was given at a thanksgiving service for Mr Turner at St Luke's Church in Torquay when the full details of his hugely busy, varied and colourful life were given for the first time and he was described as a 'remarkable individual'.
It was given by Clive Williams, as a friend of Mr Turner for many years and in more recent years as attorney and executor.
Although born in Torquay, on Mr Turner's father’s side, his grandfather emigrated from Scotland to New Zealand and his father came here in the First World War and met his mother, after which they remained in the UK and started a family.
He loved Torquay and was a devoted brother to the late Peggie and Betty.
He met his childhood friend Anne-Marie Scott-Masson, during the Second World War, when they were both 10, and it was to be a rock-solid friendship spanning eight decades.
After qualifying as a solicitor in 1957, he obtained a National Service Commission in the Royal Army Pay Corps and was stationed in Cyprus and Jordan.
He was later articled to Kitsons. During his time with the firm, he advanced to the position of senior partner, which he held for many years, although he did not enjoy the full benefits of his salary, as his father required him to repay his school fees. Such was the world after two wars, he paid his dues, but it clearly strengthened his resolve to do right by others without any expectation of a return.
The pinnacle of his career was as Her Majesty’s Coroner for Torbay and South Devon, a position to which he was appointed to in 1982, following 17 years as Deputy Coroner.
He was also secretary of the South Western Coroners’ Society and a member of the National Committee of the Coroners’ Society of England and Wales, where he later went on to be appointed national President in September 2002. Although he officially retired in October 2003, he continued in his 70s as an Assistant Deputy Coroner for the following 10 years and opened a number of inquests during this period.
He was very well known to Coroners nationwide, due in no small part to his activities in organising their annual conference at the Palace Hotel in Torquay in 2003, and his profile was further enhanced by an appearance on the Channel Four programme 'Hand in the Water'.
Mr Turner's career was just one aspect of his busy life, which was also dedicated to helping his friends, his family and many good causes in the Torbay area and beyond. He was made an Honorary Freeman of the Borough of Torbay by the council in July 2013, something which he was both delighted and honoured to receive.
He was a founder member of the Lions Club of Torquay in May 1965, and was the first Vice President and President in 1966.
He was involved in the work of the Cheshire Foundation in 1967 and founded the steering committee for Douglas House Cheshire Home at Brixham where he was chairman for the first 10 years and raised £500,000 for a new home and transport adapted for disabled people. He then served as a National Trustee of the Leonard Cheshire Foundation.
In 1999, Hamish became chairman of the fundraising committee for Torquay Museum to raise £150,000 for various improvement works to the building, serving as President for four years.
As a regular member of the congregation at St Lukes, he was appointed chairman of the fabric committee in May 2000, resulting in new lighting, new sound system, repairs to the church organ, and roof and drainage, worth nearly £200,000.
He was also licensed to help with communion services and appointed as a church warden in 2002 and during my weekend visits, always wanted me to join him in the choir.
He was Chair of the Trustees of Dartington Tech training organisation, president of the Torbay Victims of Crime Support Scheme, governor of South Devon College in 1982 and elected vice-chairman in 1984, a position he held until mid-2000.
Mr Turner was previously Chairman of Torquay Chamber of Trade and instrumental in the Christmas parade and festive illuminations.
He was also involved in the Torquay Operatic and Dramatic Society – or TOADS – joining in 1962 and president for 17 years.
Uncles in New Zealand spoke the Gaelic and he enjoyed Scottish dancing and was President of the Torquay and District Scottish Society on four occasions.
Other charities he was involved in included the Shaldon Wildlife Trust, the Eric Sparkes Charitable Trust and the Devonshire Collection of Period Costume, of which he was a trustee.
He was also a member of the Palace Hotel Swimming Club, golf club, yacht club and joined PROBUS Torquay in 2000, becoming chairman in 2004.
The congregation was told by Mr Williams that to many, Mr Turner was known as Mr Torquay - 'the town and region have certainly lost one of its foremost ambassadors and it was a great shame that he was never given a national honour to recognise the tireless work he did in the public service and for the community during his life'.
Mr Williams said that Mr Turner's wicked sense of humour was something that so many remember about him.
He knew Torquay’s most famous daughter, Agatha Christie and maintained contact with her family following her passing in 1976. How appropriate that a member of the judiciary who was specifically involved in the investigation and explanation of someone’s demise should be closely linked with the Queen of Crime behind some of the best-read murder mysteries of all time, the service was told.
Indeed, he arranged an event which brought the Orient Express to Torquay, but such was his sense of humour, he was disappointed that no quintessentially Christie-like event occurred on the train’s journey from London that would have required him to open an interesting inquest.
Mr Williams said Mr Turner was known for – possibly deliberately – saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. Whenever Anne-Marie was with him at a social gathering, he would recall was how they always shared a bath. When the listener spilled their tea, visibly recoiling at such an outrageous admission, it was left to Anne-Marie to explain that this occurred when they were 10.
Mr Turner adored his late sister Peggie would also often visit his sister Betty in Berkshire.
He took a particular interest in Anne-Marie’s son and his godson, the actor William Scott-Masson, for whom he funded music lessons at Pangbourne College.
His niece Jenny, from Leicestershire, and her family would always welcome Hamish for Christmas dinner. He would drive there immediately after church in the morning.
The family remember their visits to Hamish’s home when they would invariably be greeted by him busy in the garden and dressed appropriately for the task, including his signature woolly hat. After a whirlwind wash and brush up, he would reappear, pristine, in a collar and tie, ready to meet the outside world, many of whom – in Torbay at least – he knew.
So many of his friends remember Hamish for his gardening, achieving 'highly recommended' certificates in Torbay in Bloom It was also instrumental in his fundraising, as he often hosted garden parties there, said Mr Williams.
He added: "Hamish touched so many lives with his abundant energy, his wonderful sense of fun and humour and his dedication to worthy causes. We salute this loving, caring, gifted, friendly, kind and energetic man."