No.152712, Private, George Frederick TURNER
Aged 24
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George Frederick Turner was born on 6th April 1892 in Clapton Park, London,(Hackney Q1-1891 1B:557), baptised in Clapton Park, All Saints on 27th April 1891,
son of Frederick and Amy TURNER (née BROWN ?).
1901 census...Aged 8, he was at Back Lane, Burrough Green with his father Frederick TURNER [42] farm labourer born Stetchworth; his mother Amy [35], born Burrough Green; brother Arthur [13] born Poplar, London; sister Ethel [11] born Bromley; sister Jessie [4] born Canning Town and sister Violet (under 1 month) born in Burrough Green. 1911 census...Aged 18, a farm labourer, he was with his mother, sisters Jessie and Violet, and brothers Frederick Robert [6] and Leonard [1] and sisters Louisa Maud [8] and Maud [3]. All the new siblings were born in Burrough Green. His father seems to be at another house (on his own) in Back Lane,Burrough Green. Apparently he was not alone when he emigrated to Canada since his war grave card (92. 31830_B016649 page 80-81) in the Canadian Archives gives his next of kin as Frederick Turner, c/o G Baskersville, Boissevain, Manitoba. The (B) after the name may mean (Brother), his brother Frederick Robert TURNER, who would have only been about 12. |
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From Canadian Archives:- RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 9836 - 11, he enlisted at Brandon, Manitoba on 6th August 1915. He gave his birth date as 6th April 1892 whereas in fact it was 1891.
He was 5ft 8.25 inches (173.3 cm) tall,blue eyed and had light brown hair. He gave his occupation as farm labourer, born in London, next of kin as Mrs F Turner, Boro Green, Newmarket, England.
. He served in the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles. Their war dairy records for 29th March 1917:-
"Our heavies fired a few rounds west of La Folie Farm. from 11 am to 2 pm our heavy artillery ? steady on FLAPPER TRENCH, SPANDAUER HAUS, SWICHEN STELUNG and much debris was thrown in the air. At 7:20 pm in conjunction with a raid on our right a barrage lasting 20 mins was placed on hostile front line. Hostile artillery fairly active in our area causing a few casualties to the company in the front line. Our snipers active and claim numerous hits in the vicinty of the twin craters" This was all part of the preparation for the major attack on Vimy Ridge from 9th-12th April 1917. the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles lost 8 men on the 29th March |
Boissevain War Memorial, Manitoba, Canada
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details