The following few simple words are written in affectionate remembrance of one who has been my trusted friend during my school, monastic, and missionary life. We were in the same set and knew each other well and never had as much as a cross word with one another.
Father John Anselm Turner was born at Simpson's Fold on October 15th, 1862. He was the fourth child in a family of eight. The days of his youth were passed in a home of Lancashire piety. He looked on his mother as a saint, and under her tender care imbibed the true spirit of faith and devotion.
Preaching at Clayton Green, on occasion of the Centenary, Sept. 7th, 1924, he tells us how he came to be sent to Ampleforth. 'My mother,' he says, 'was born and brought up at Denham Hall - the old Hall that harboured the martyrs. I had expressed a wish to be a priest and my parents were glad to grant my desire. A cousin also had the same wish, and the idea was to send us both to Stonyhurst. But my mother was persuaded first to consult Fr Dowding. So we were brought by our parents to Clayton Green where the venerable old priest lived. He met us at the door, and after some conversation, Fr Dowding advised us that we should be sent to Ampleforth, the monastery from which your first priest Fr Day came. We went to Ampleforth, and here I am to-day addressing you. Little I thought, then, I should be doing so to-day.'
In the school there was nothing much to distinguish him from other boys. He was pious and edifying, but he was also good at the games, especialy 'rounders,' and on the ball place. He certainly made the best racket balls. When the late Abbot was Prefect, and old Antony Dickenson had given up sending the 'spice' to the Upper Library, the shop was opened, and John Turner and Bernard Gibbons were the first shopmen. The profits from this new arrangement quite astonished the Prefect and consoled him, as he wanted money for the new ball place.
He went to Belmont and received the Habit Sept. 3rd, 1881, with Fr Wilfrid Baines and Fr Bernard J. Gibbons and they were all professed Sept. 7th, 1882. Returning to Ampleforth in 1885, he was put to teach History as his special subject. He always kept this up, both in his reading and conversation, whenever he had an opportunity. He made his Solemn Vows Jan. 12th, 1886, was ordained Sub-deacon Feb. 6th, 1886, and Deacon in St Wilfrid's, York, on Oct. 9th, 1887. He and his set were ordained there, in order to give Catholic lay people the opportunity of witnessing the more solemn rites of the Church. Bishop Lacey ordained him Priest on March 3rd, 1889. His relations were present at his first Mass which he sang on the second day after receiving Holy Orders.
In the Community Fr Anselm was at his best when, on an occasional month day, we went off to Lastingham, or some other place of interest. He could always give us the history connected with the trip, and he kept the conversation going during the walk by many amusing tales. He had a keen sense of humour and his Lancashire stories were especially full of wit.
He retained this during his missionary life and was the best of companions, when he invited the Brethren from the neighbouring missions to join him in a motor ride to Whitewell or Belmont. Nothing could please him better than to entertain the Brethren on a feast day. He considered hospitality one of the duties of the head priest. Even the stray caller was always welcome.
He succeeded Fr Clement Standish as Prefect. As Prefect he inspired confidence and respect among the boys through his strong straightforward character. He was always just - yet kindly in his insistence on discipline, and his enthusiasm was an inspiration to the boys.
For several years he had charge of the outlying mission of Kirbymoorside where he laboured with great zeal and energy, making many converts. It was he who built the beautiful little church there. He is still remembered with much esteem and affection by those who saw the building rise.
As Prior he exercised a wholesome influence in the Community by his exemplary regularity and devotion to duty. He was an ardent upholder of traditions, and the somewhat severe discipline in which the Ampleforth Community had been trained. Yet he was always kind and amiable and entered heartily into all the amusements of the Brethren.
When Ampleforth was raised to the dignity of an Abbey, he was made its first Claustral Prior, a post he held till he went to Brownedge.
Though Prior, the Ampleforth mission was placed under his charge. Here again he showed his energy and built the village church. His foresight has been the greatest boon to a much visited country resort and many Catholics take advantage of it every year.
Fr Anselm was one of the few priests who remained at the same mission all the time of his Pastoral life. He was a hardworking missioner and a most conscientious one. To those who knew him outwardly, he had many attractions, and like all of us, his own peculiarities. But his real character was conscientiousness - high principled, fearless in what he thought was right. He was always priestly and a true monk. There was nothing worldly about him.
Having had some experience at Kirby and Ampleforth, it is not surprising that he took kindly to the old established mission of Brownedge. During the twenty odd years he was there he gave his heart and soul to one improvement after another. The foundations of the transept arch gave way, owing to the lodgment of water. Making this good was a great expense, and took several months to complete. Then came the rearrangement of the heating apparatus for church and house. He also put in stained glass windows in most of the lights. After that, new Stations of the Cross were erected and a niche prepared for a statue of 'The Little Flower.' In 1925 the whole church was redecorated. His last work was to have the bells recast, and their number increased from six to eight.
In his dealings with his fellow priests he was thoughtful and kind, and tried at all times to help them with wise advice, taking a fatherly interest in their pastoral work. He was a good priest and faithful servant of God and his work has been well done. Though he never saw the completion of his last undertaking, he little thought perhaps, that the bells would be tolled for the first time on the occasion of his own funeral.
For years he had been in poor health and suffered much from arthritis and a weak heart. He often regretted that he was forced to give up the bicycle. His infirmities kept him awake at night, though he never complained, or spoke of them, except to those who knew him best. One who knows can say with truth that his life was one of hidden suffering, so patiently endured that none noticed it.
During his last illness, when he had gone to Birkdale, I went from Grassendale every Monday to see him. The disease was dropsy, and it was decided that he should undergo an operation for the removal of the discomforting liquid. He was told of cases where this had proved a complete cure. He was hopeful and even cheerful, and did not seem to realise that his case was really serious. After the first operation he was much relieved and hoped to leave the Home in a few days. However he became worse again, and the operation had to be repeated. This was on the Friday before he died. He rallied again and was quite cheerful with his friends on the Sunday after. It was early in the morning after this pleasant day, when all had reason to hope that there was every proof of a gradual recovery, that he passed away in his sleep to the realms of eternal life. The hour came - it was God's time, and, may I say it? - it was merciful in its suddenness. There was always present to him the anxiety whether he done his duty, a humble hesitation with regard to the judgement of himself. And is not a sudden death a blessing in disguise to those who are inclined to be scrupulous? The Priest arrived a few minutes after the sad discovery was made, and administered the rites of Holy Church. His body was taken back to his much loved mission and now rests in the vault with some of his Brethren, and amongst his own flock. The Requiem was sung by Father Abbot in the presence of the Bishop of the Diocese, his fellow novices were Deacon and Sub-deacon, and his own Community sang the plain chant. His friend and former Sub-prior, Fr Anselm Wilson, of Leyland, spoke a few sympathetic words at the funeral. He dwelt on the innate kindness of his disposition, his lowly estimate of himself, his unobtrusive piety, his love for the holy liturgy, his edifying life as a monk and priest. His flock had lost a faithful shepherd, and he was sure that they would all intercede for him at the throne of God.
He leaves behind him a fair and respected name, as a legacy to the Church he served, the diocese he dwelt in, to his Religious Brethren, and all who knew him, - a reputation that will encourage those who stand up for principle, and endeavour to carry out with patience and perseverance what they believe to be their duty. May no stain of human frailty, no last farthing of a priest's heavy debt, keep him long away from the vision of the God he strove to serve.
Another of his Brethren who knew him well has contributed the following appreciation of Fr Anselm's character as a Priest and Monk. 'We feel the loss of Fr Anselm in many ways. His death is the removal of a familiar landmark - to all who knew him - especially to his Brethren who had watched him grow up and who had grown up with him. I don't think any one would have an unkindly word to say against him. They might smile at his old fashioned views, but there was wisdom in them; they might smile at his 'grandmotherly' ways, but people were always ready to seek from him sympathy and advice. There emanated from him, wherever he was an influence of genuineness, loyalty, and simple faith. He may not have been a brilliant showy man but he was an exemplary and very useful priest. His life at the monastery was very useful. He was trustworthy and trusted. He was successively sub-prefect, prefect, and the Claustral Prior.
He had much to do at Brownedge. Among other things the foundations of the church, which were in danger, he made secure and strong. It was a work of some anxiety and great expense. Just before he died he had in hand the remoulding of the peal of bells which rang out from the church spire. They were blessed and rehung but he was never to hear those chimes in their new set harmony - those chimes which for so many years he had listened to with meditative notes and prayer. Only for his death did they sound their muffled thought and raise their saddened voice in their appeal: 'Requiescat in pace!'
I say we miss him as a familiar land mark. He was a man of character, and his characteristics in their expression endeared him to his Brethren. He was a man of staunch principles, fearless in preaching them; blunt and straight in condemning what he thought wrong. He was a great upholder of old traditions; perhaps, in the opinion of some too much a 'laudator temporis acti.' He loved to join a group and talk of the 'old times'; he had a sense of humour and enjoyed going over reminiscences, laughing heartily at the old stories. He was scrupulously particular in all matters of right and wrong, and he was a devout and pious soul. He wrote to me from Southport a few days before his death: 'Thoughts of the past come now frequently, as I lie awake. Alas! regrets come that I did not make better use of all the helps and opportunities I received; also for the want of correspondence to God's favours and graces. I hope I may be able now in some measure to make amends by prayer, and bearing my afflictions with patience.' These are common place words written on a page, but they have a deep meaning and a great pathos when thus they come from the brink of the grave where one of our friends and brothers for a moment halts his step. R.I.P.
JOHN ANSELM TURNER 6 February 1928
1862 15 Oct Born Wheelton Lancs
1873-81 Educ Ampleforth
1881 3 Sep Habit at Belmont
1882 7 Sep Simple Vows
1883 22 Dec Minor Orders
1886 12 Jan Solemn Vows Ampleforth Prior Anselm Burge
1887 6 Feb Subdiaconate
9 Oct Diaconate
1889 3 Mar Priesthood Bishop Lacy
Taught at Ampleforth
Served Kirbymoorside (& built the church there)
1898 Jan 1st Prefect of Discipline
1900 Oct to Jul 1909 Claustral Prior
Served Ampleforth Village & built the church there
1909 2 Oct Assistant priest at Brownedge
1912 26 Oct Superior at Brownedge
1928 6 Feb Died in Nursing Home Birkdale
9 Feb Buried at Brownedge