A Manitoba man in the middle-east

[michaeldr]

A Canadian who died in Palestine

This wreath caught my eye back in November when I attended the Remembrance Service at Ramleh. It lies on the grave of one of the very few Canadians who died in this theatre.

TURNER

Initials: G J

Nationality: Canadian

Rank: Lieutenant

Regiment/Service: Canadian Infantry

Unit Text: Regimental Depot, (Manitoba)

Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force

Secondary Unit Text: seconded

Date of Death: 10/04/1918

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: G. 17

Cemetery: RAMLEH WAR CEMETERY

The wreath was laid by members of Operation Proteus: see http://www.cefcom.forces.gc.ca/pa-ap/ops/proteus/index-eng.asp

A similar wreath was also resting against a nearby headstone with the simple inscription

"A Soldier of the Great War"

If you can add anything here on Lieutenant Turner, then please do so.

[Waggoner]

This might be the link to his Canadian Attestation Papers on the Library and Archives Canada site - http://www.collectio...oneenoc3v4347p6 . Unfortunately, his papers are not on line. This is the link to his entry in the Canadian Books of Remembrance - http://www.veterans.gc.ca/content/collections/books/bww1/ww1515.jpg.

All the best,

Gary

[michaeldr]

Thanks Gary,

His page at the on-line memorial is here http://wwii.ca/memorial/world-war-i/104137/lieutenant-george-james-turner/

and one mention in the LG:

SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 26 FEBRUARY 1918

ROYAL FLYING CORPS.

Mil. Wing.—The undermentioned appts. are

made: —

Flying Officers.—

30th Dec. 1917.

Lt. G. J. Turner, Manitoba R., Canadian

Exped. Force.

and to be transfd. to R.F.C. Gen. List

Edited 16 February , 2011 by michaeldr

[Broznitsky]

Hi Michael, thanks for posting the photo.

The Manitoba designation is a red herring; he enlisted into the 16th Canadian Scottish, probably in British Columbia; the regimental number stayed with him even though he wound up in the RAF. Post-war, thanks to a Canadian request, the CWGC used the "nominal" provincial regimental depots to indicate the regiment served in, even though the battalion was the fighting unit.

For some reason, the 16th was "given" to Manitoba.

[michaeldr]

Peter,

Thanks for that explanation

My thanks also to Gareth (Dolphin) who has kindly provided the following information:

Lt G J Turner of No 142 Sqn RAF (formerly 16th Bn, Canadian Infantry), was killed in an accident while flying an RE8, with

Lt P L Ward as observer, who was unhurt.

regards

Michael

[Al C]

Lt Turner appears on the nominal roll/sailing list of the 16th Battalion. He is listed with "D" Company The entry for him is

Regimental No.: 29029

Rank: Private

Name: Turner, George James

Former Corps: Nil

Next of Kin: Turner Geo. J.

Address of Next of Kin: Ladner, B.C.

Country of Birth: USA

Taken on Strength Place: Val Cartier

Taken on Strength Date: Sept. 23, 1914

He is also shown in Urquhart's History of The 16th Battalion (the Canadian Scottish)

His record of service is shown as

Regimental No. 29069

Highest Rank Held 16th Bn: Lieut.

Final Rank CEF: Private

Name: Turner George James

Orginial Unit and Date of Enlistment: 16th Bn 22-9-14

Regimental Record 16th Battalion: France 9-2-15 to 29-3-15. 24-6-15 to 10-1-16

Previous or Subsequent Service: CAPC London 15-6-16 to 14-1-17. Reserve Units, England 15-1-17 to 18-10-17. To be Temp. Lieut., Man. Regt. 1-7-17. Sec'd to RFC 21-8-17 to 10-4-18. RAF Eygpt 19-10-17 to 10-4-18

[michaeldr]

Al C,

Many thanks for that additional, detailed information

regards

Michael