Victor Turner (civil servant) facts for kids

Sir Victor Alfred Charles Turner (born 12 March 1892 – died 16 October 1974) was an important English-Pakistani government official. He was a skilled statistician and economist. Sir Victor is known as one of the people who helped create the Civil Service of Pakistan. He served as the very first Finance Secretary of Pakistan. This was in the government led by Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan. He was also the Chairman of the Central Board of Revenue from 1947 to 1950.

Sir Victor was born as Alfred Charles Turner in London, England. This was on 12 March 1892. His father, Walter Charles Turner, worked as a butler. Alfred went to St Mary Abbots Higher Grade School and Latymer Upper School. In 1911, he earned a scholarship to Emmanuel College, Cambridge. There, he studied Mathematics and did very well. He earned his Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1914 and his Master of Arts (MA) in 1918. He added the name 'Victor' when he was knighted in 1947.

Military Service

During the First World War, Alfred Charles Turner served in the Royal Fusiliers. He was a Lieutenant and fought in France starting in August 1915. Later, he became an Inspector of Explosives at the Woolwich Arsenal. He held the rank of Captain. In 1921, he received three medals for his service in the war.

Working in India

Turner joined the Indian Civil Service in 1919. He was sent to what is now Uttar Pradesh in India in 1920. He worked as an assistant commissioner in Lucknow. From 1926 to 1929, he helped with land management in the Rae Bareli district. In 1930, he was in charge of organizing the 1931 census for Uttar Pradesh.

His excellent skills as an administrator were noticed. In 1935, he became the Revenue Secretary for the local government. A year later, in 1936, he was made Financial Secretary. By 1941, he became an Additional Secretary in the Indian Government in Delhi. He worked as the Financial Commissioner for Railways in 1945. Then, in early 1947, he returned to the Finance Department as Principal Secretary.

Helping Pakistan Start

After Pakistan became an independent country, Sir Victor Turner was chosen for a very important role. Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan appointed him as the first Finance Secretary. He was also the first Christian to hold such a key government position. Sir Victor played an active part in the Pakistan Movement. He was one of the main Christian leaders who supported the movement.

Soon after his appointment, Turner became the first head of the Federal Bureau of Statistics. The Prime Minister asked him to help organize new government departments. He also helped set up financial institutions. Sir Victor successfully helped create a paper currency factory. With the help of De La Rue plc., Pakistan began printing its own money. The first official rupee even had his signature, V.A.C. Turner, on it.

Sir Victor also made many changes to the Pakistan Civil Service. He gave a report to the Prime Minister. This report suggested how big the Civil Service should be. It also pointed out problems in different government ministries. After Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan was assassinated, Sir Victor left the government. He moved back to the United Kingdom. There, he became a financial adviser to Pakistan's High Commissioner in London. He also served as the first Treasurer of the Pakistan Society, a group based in the UK, until 1969.

Later Life and Legacy

Even after leaving Pakistan, Sir Victor continued to visit the country. He gave advice to the government on various economic matters. Because of his many important contributions, the government of Pakistan gave him a special award, the Sitara-e-Imtiaz. In 1954, he became an economic adviser for Thomas De La Rue and Co.Ltd.. He retired from this role in 1964.

Sir Victor Turner passed away on 16 October 1974 in Surrey, England, at the age of 82. He was survived by his wife, Winifred Bessie. He also had a daughter from his first marriage and a son and a daughter from his second marriage.

Honors and Awards

Sir Victor Turner received several important honors for his service:

• Knighthood – He was knighted in 1947.
• Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire (CIE)
• Companion of the Order of the Star of India (CSI)
• Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)
• Sitara-e-Imtiaz – This is a high civilian award from Pakistan.

See also

• Pakistan Movement
• Planning Commission
• Pakistan–United Kingdom relations
• British Raj