George Turner was born in London, Ontario, on January 25, 1888, the son of Mrs. Robert V. Harrison, of Corunna, Ontario. George enlisted May 31, 1915 in Niagara Camp, Ontario, with the 37th Battalion. At the time, he recorded his next of kin as Mary Jane MacArthur (mother), of Sarnia, Ontario. A bachelor, George also listed his occupation as a blacksmith. He became a member the Army, Canadian Infantry, Quebec Regiment, 42nd Battalion, with the rank of Private. On January 11, 1916, George Turner would lose his life while fighting in Belgium.

The following is from the War Diary of the 42nd Battalion for January 1916, which records the death of George Turner along with five other soldiers:

The efforts of the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade during three weeks in 1st Brigade area earned the following letter from Major Currie, C.B., Commanding 1st Canadian Division:

“It gives me a great deal of pleasure to inform you that during the stay of the 7th Infantry Brigade in the 1st Brigade area, they behaved at all times most gallantly. Besides, they did a great deal of very necessary and useful work.

“At the time they took over the line, the trenches, owing to the very bad weather, were not in the best of shape but your fellows have made a great difference. I went over the line last Saturday morning and was delighted with what I saw had been done and so expressed myself to Brigadier General MacDonell. I asked him to convey my thanks to all the ranks of his Brigade: I know he will, but I want you to know as well how I have appreciated them. They were active in their patrolling, did a lot of wiring, greatly improved the front trenches, worked hard on supporting points and were aggressive always. While I deeply regret their casualties I do not think they were excessive.

“Brigadier General Hughes has written me in warm terms of praise of what has been accomplished by MacDonell’s Brigade.”

7th Brigade total casualties during three weeks were 13 O.R killed, 2 Officers 69 O.R. wounded, of these 42nd Battalion total casualties were 3 O.R. killed (Ptes Matthews, E., Turner, G. and Ward G.) 39 O.R. wounded of whom 3 O.R. died of wounds (Ptes Wells, W.B., Belhumeur, J., McKillop, A.).

George Turner would officially be listed as, Killed in Action. In late January of 1916, the telegraph company in Sarnia received the following telegram from the Adjutant-General at Ottawa:

Mrs. Mary Jane MacCarthur, Sarnia, Ont.

Deeply regret to inform you that No. 47966, Private George Tuner, of Sarnia, of 42nd formerly 37th Battalion, officially reported killed in action. Signed, Adjt.-Gen.

The telegraph company officials could not immediately deliver the telegram, for Mrs. Mary Jane MacArthur, George’s mother and next of kin, was no longer living in Sarnia. Shortly after, Mrs. MacArthur was located in Hamilton, and the telegram was forwarded to her.

Twenty-seven year old George Turner is buried in R.E. Farm Cemetery, Heuvelland, Belgium, Grave III.A.12. In May of 1921, George’s mother, Mrs. Robert V. Harrison of Froomfield, would receive the Mother’s Cross in memory of her son, Private George Turner, who was killed in action on the Battlefield of Flanders. His mother also received the Mons Star and Military Medal from the war office.

SOURCES: C, D, E, F, L, N, 2C, 2D, 2G