Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Biography – From the Kitchener Public Library collection of World War One Soldier Information Cards. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Group Photo – 2nd Lt. Owen Turnbull (left) with his cousin Maj. E. C. Goldie (right).

Photo of Owen Turnbull – Born June 2, 1897 and died September 21, 1918. He enlisted at the age of 18 and was assigned to the 57th Squadron R.A.F. He was killed in action over France at the age of 21 while doing a photo reconnaissance. Son of Charles and Margaret, brother to Dorothy, Graham, Margaret (Peg) and Mary. My grandfather, Owen Turnbull Linton, son of Dorothy, was named for his uncle. Our family has kept his diaries covering the years 1916-1918. The entries abruptly stop a few days before his death. On September 16 he writes, "...In the afternoon Anderson didn't return from photos so I was warned and got all ready but was washed out. Andy crashed at Hoplincourt and was killed..." September 17 reads, "Up at eight, ready for photos...saw the photos later and they covered the areas pretty well. After dinner Thornton and I went to movies, but they were only fair." Those were the last words in his diary. He is memorialized at the Arras Memorial to the Missing in Pas de Calais, France, as he has no known grave. We also have pictures of him as a child and his British War Medal and Victory Medal. They are accompanied by a brief note signed by King George V.

Family Photo – Left to right: Dorothy (born Dec. 26, 1891 and died Jun 26, 1948), Margaret (born Apr. 6, 1895 and died May 2, 1981) and Owen Turnbull. Brother Graham was born and died in 1893 and sister Mary was born in in 1899 and died in 1902.

Galt War Memorial – The Cambridge (Galt) War Memorial, Queen's Square, Cambridge, Ontario. Circa 1930. Frances Loring and William Lyon Somerville. Inscribed:"TO THEM ALL HONOUR / GUARD YE THEIR VICTORY / 1914-1918 / 1939-1945 / 1950-1953."

Close-up of Galt War Memorial – Detail of the Cambridge (Galt) War Memorial.

Photo of Owen Turnbull – In memory of the men and women from the Waterloo area who went to war and did not come home. From the booklet, Peace Souvenir – Activities of Waterloo County in the Great War 1914 – 1918. From the Toronto Public Library collection. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me.

Waterloo Memorial Booklet – In memory of the men and women from the Waterloo area who went to war and did not come home. From the booklet, Peace Souvenir – Activities of Waterloo County in the Great War 1914 – 1918. From the Toronto Public Library collection. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me.