Jan 8, 1897

Born in Essex, England

Mar 22, 1915

Attested into the 21^st Battalion CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 60011 (temporary number 1289)

Ø  Next of kin given as Miss D. Turner, sister, Sedan House, Fairfax Dr., Prittlewell, Essex, England

Ø  Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

Ø  Assigned to “B” Company

The battalion trained in the Kingston area through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training

Jul 31, 1915

Declared to be AWL (Absent Without Leave)

Aug 4, 1915

Reported for duty from being absent and forfeited 5 days pay for his absence

Aug 8, 1915

Admitted to the Canadian Military Hospital in Shorncliffe with a diagnosis that reads NYD (Not Yet Determined)

On admission he is noted as “hearing deficient” in both ears and has difficulty breathing through his nose

Aug 12, 1915

Discharged to duty from hospital

Aug 19, 1915

Attended the Moore Barracks Hospital for a medical appointment

Sep 2, 1915

Transferred to the Depot Company

Sep 25, 1915

Transferred to the 39^th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling

Oct 26, 1915

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Oct 27, 1915

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Nov 3, 1915

After leaving the base depot, Private Turner joined the 21^st Battalion in billets in La Clytte, Belgium and assigned to the bombing section

Sep 15, 1916

The 21^st Battalion was assigned the objective of capturing the sugar factory south of Courcelette, France that was being used as a strongly defended headquarters by the Germans.  Private Turner received a shrapnel wound to his hip and was evacuated to a field ambulance for first aid before being transported to a casualty clearing station for further treatment.

Sep 17, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship St. Patrick

On arrival in England he was admitted to the No. 1 Western General Hospital in Liverpool

Posted to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) for pay purposes while in hospital

Surgery performed to remove shrapnel from his hip and buttock

While in hospital he developed a cough and trouble breathing

Dec 4, 1916

Sputum test finds he is positive for Tuberculosis

Dec 5, 1916

Transferred to Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

Dec 21, 1916

Transferred to the Horton County of London Hospital in Epsom

Jan 30, 1917

Transferred to the Moore Barracks Hospital in Shorncliffe

Mar 10, 1917

Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital

Mar 12, 1917

Embarked the Hospital Ship Letitia in Liverpool

Mar 23, 1917

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Quebec City, Quebec

Mar 29, 1917

Medical exam at the Quebec Depot finds that he has lost 40 pounds since enlistment, looks emaciated, and is positive for Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

Recommendation made to be admitted to a sanatorium and he proceeded to Kingston, Ontario

Apr 1, 1917

Admitted to the Mowat Sanitorium in Kingston

Apr 3, 1917

To be treated as an out-patient of the Mowat Sanitorium

Jun 1, 1917

Medical Board at the Mowat Hospital recommends 1 full year of further treatment in the sanitorium

Aug 31, 1917

Robert Turner left hospital care against the advice of doctors and refused further treatment

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario as Medically Unfit

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge c/o Mr. J. Turner, Silverdale Station, Ontario

Feb 13, 1920

Private Robert William Turner died at home of Pulmonary Tuberculosis and was buried in the Riverside Lawn Cemetery, Wellandport, Ontario

Following his death, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his brother, James William Turner, 9 Dougall Ave., Windsor, Ontario

There was no Memorial Cross issued

2010

For the 7 nights leading up to November 11, 2010, the names of all Canadian soldiers who were killed during the war were projected onto the Belgian War Memorial in Ypres.  At the same time, the same names were being broadcast via the internet to schools across Belgium and Canada.  The image above shows the opening ceremonies at the Belgian War Memorial on November 4, 2010. 

Below is the name of Robert Turner being broadcast to the schools.  Each name appeared for 25 seconds and each night 9,700 names were shown.