COLONEL WILL TURNER

When only two years old, Will Turner came to Canada with his parents and settles in the suburbs of Toronto. He received his education at the Todmorden and Davisville schools. At age 14, his mother dies, and tension grew between him and his father resulting in his departure from his father’s household to live with his Aunt.

It was while living with his aunt, the young Will was introduced to The Salvation Army as he was converted in a Methodist revival, and a week later became a soldier of the Yorkville Corps.

In 1884, feeling the call to the work, he became a Cadet and was appointed to Acton, ON. Between 1884 and 1893, the Colonel was appointed to seventeen Corps – three as a Cadet, two as Lieutenant, and twelve as Captain. In December 1891, he married Captain Annie Barker, and Officer of four years’ successful Field experience, her last Corps before marriage being Uxbridge, ON.

Following the Colonel’s various Field appointments, increased responsibilities were placed upon him and he was made District Officer, first at St. Catherines, ON. Promotion to Ensign followed and he was appointed to Barrie and District. He was a Divisional Commander of the Central Ontario and Western Ontario Provinces during 1894-96, during which he held the rank of Adjutant.

Promoted to Staff-Captain, he was appointed Chancellor to the Pacific Province, the Headquarters at that time, 1898 being in Spokane Washington. The Colonels seven years as a Provincial Officer prepared him for the greater responsibilities which were soon to follow.

Next, he was appointed as Subscriber’s Secretary, Property Secretary and later Immigration Secretary was added to his duties in the Property Department. In 1915 he was appointed Chief Secretary Canada West Territory and in August 1918 he was promoted to full Colonel.