Biography:

Dr. William Partridge Turner was born at the Public General Hospital in Chatham, Ontario on the 24th of November, 1912.  Dr. Turner was the 2nd of 3 children born to William Wesley Turner and the former Elizabeth “Bessie” Taylor.  His father was a “druggist” and his mother was raised in Wallaceburg, Ontario. His mother’s brother was Dr. Harry Alexander Taylor and Dr. Taylor practiced medicine in Wallaceburg.  Dr. Turner’s siblings were; Aileen Margaret Turner and Ruth Elizabeth Turner.  He was educated at Queen Mary Public School and Chatham Collegiate Institute in Chatham.

Dr. Turner graduated from The University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine in 1939 and opened his family medical practice at 274 King St. in Chatham.

Dr. Turner married Elizabeth Joyce Weaver on the 17th of May, 1941 in St. Catharines, Ontario.  Mrs. Turner was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, on the 3rd of April, 1910.   She was the daughter of Dr. Walter John Weaver and the former Emily Gertrude Dibblee.  Her father was born in England and he graduated as a medical doctor from The University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine in 1896.   He set up his medical practice in Fredericton and married Mrs. Turner’s mother on the 17th of August, 1904.  Mrs. Weaver died on the 19th of February, 1916 of pneumonia, when she was 42 years old.  Dr. Weaver moved to Niagara Falls and married Jessie Burgess Geary on the 19th of December, 1918, when Mrs. Turner was 8 years old.  Dr. and Mrs. Weaver had a son named Robert Weaver born around 1921 and a daughter named Emily Grace Weaver born around 1923.  At the time of his marriage, Dr. Turner was stationed at Camp Borden and Mrs. Turner and her family were living in Toronto.

Dr and Mrs. Turner had two children, Jane and Bill.

Dr. Turner served with the Canadian Army during WWII.  He enlisted in 1940 and he spent 15 months on the staff at Camp Borden.  Dr. Turner went oversea’s in May of 1943.  He saw active duty in North Africa at the 15th General Hospital.  He also served with the 4th Field Ambulance in Italy and he served in Northwest Europe.   Dr. Turner received the rank of Major in November of 1944.  He was discharged in January of 1946 and he returned to his medical practice in Chatham.

Dr. Turner was a member of Park Street United Church and the Masonic Lodge.

Dr. Turner died on the 19th of July, 1991.  Mrs. Turner died on the 25th of January, 1994.  Dr. and Mrs. Turner were buried at Maple Leaf Cemetery in Chatham.

*Dr. William Partridge Turner is also featured on the Gathering Our Heroes website.

**Dr. Harry Alexander Taylor is also featured on the Chatham-Kent Physician Tribute website.