During World War II, Turner served in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1939 to 1945.
He was by this time the leading cabinet representative from Winnipeg, and received the additional portfolio of Railway Commissioner on January 18, 1954.
[1] Turner was known as a skilled politician, and was described by CCF leader Lloyd Stinson as "undoubtedly the brightest front bench performer in the latter days of the Campbell regime".
[3] While a conservative and cautious administrator in most respects, Turner played a leading role in establishing the Manitoba Hydro-electric Board in 1953, at a cost of $54,600,000.
Many believed Turner would eventually replace Campbell as leader of the Liberal-Progressive Party, but this did not occur.