James Turner

Gnr 79598 James Turner

Regiment: Royal Garrison Artillery 83rd coy

Age: 31

Date of death: 24th June 1917

Buried in a civilian cemetery in Hong Kong

Address: 1130 Burnley Road East

Next of kin: Ruth Turner (wife) and William and Anne Turner (parents)

Enlisted in May 1916 and after a month's training was drafted out to China. Embarked July 9th 1916 on his 31st birthday.

His wife received a letter at the beginning of July 1917 to say he was “in the pink”, but mail takes five weeks to get to UK from China. Died of pneumonia and heart failure in Hong Kong on Sunday 24th June.

He had been a newsagent and stationer in Lumb for 9 years.

James was the brother of councillor John Turner of Scout Bottom and Mr Sam Turner of Waterfoot. He was a member of Water Liberal Club and was married with one young son. He was also connected with Providence Baptist Chapel at Lumb.

Source: Rossendale Free Press: 07.07.1917 p.5; 14.07.1917 p.6