Private Edgar Samuel Turnill

Edgar Samuel Turnill, [ca. 1916]. We Will Remember Them, Mary Keen

Birth: December 8, 1896 in Eburne, BC

Death: April 11, 1917 in France

Service: WWI

Regimental Number: 116735

Biography:

Edgar Samuel Turnill was born in Eburne on December 8, 1896, three years after his parents, Thomas Harry and Emma Jane Turnill, emigrated from England. Thomas worked for the canneries - in 1911 he was a foreman at the Britannia Cannery and also worked extensively for the Gulf of Georgia Cannery.

Edgar, one of three boys and two girls, enlisted in Victoria on April 4, 1916 aged 19 years. He gave as his occupation "canner".

On enlistment, Edgar joined the 11th Canadian Mounted Rifles and embarked for England on board SS Lapland, arriving July 25, 1916. Prior to arrival in France, he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles. Edgar arrived in France on November 29, 1916 and spent part of March 1917 in hospital with a condition called general myalgia. Edgar was killed in action on April 11, 1917 at Vimy Ridge. He left his personal effects to his mother, Emma, who also received the memorial cross. His father, Thomas, received the plaque and scroll. Thomas died of leukemia in 1930 and Emma died in 1959.

History of the Road Name (Turnill Street)

• Council Resolution to adopt road name: Council Minutes May 10, 1999