1915-03-30oo

As the month of March, 1915 was coming to an end, the news from the front regarding  soldiers fighting in Europe was becoming worse.

For every statistical showing the massive numbers of wounded and killed on all sides of the war effort, there was a story for each and every individual.

Such was the case with the report of the fate of a Hamilton soldier which appeared in the March 30, 1915 edition of the Hamilton Spectator :

`` `Well, mother, these are all I have to leave you,`  said Jack Turnbull, handing over his keys and a few small effects, as he bade farewell to Mrs. William Campaign, on his leaving Hamilton with the first Canadian overseas contingent.

`Yesterday evening, Mrs. Campaign received a cable from the war department announcing that Pte. Turnbull had been illed in action, and in his death another name is added to the honor roll of the Hamilton men who have given their lives on the field of battle.

`Jack Turnbull came to Hamilton a little over three years ago from his home at Hamshire Mills, Simcoe county, and at the time that he left Hamilton he was an employee of the Westinghouse company.

`Shortly after coming to the city he joined the 91^st regiment of Canadian Highlanders and was a member of C company, the famous fighting unit of the kilties which has contributed nearly 66 men.

`He was very popular with his companions and all who knew him. He possessed a genial disposition, and was a young of exemplary life.

`Shortly after coming to Hamilton, Pte. Turnbull went to the home of William and Mrs. Campaign to live, and in speaking of the young man this morning, Mrs. Campaign had only words of praise for him. She said he had always called her mother, and he was more like a son than a stranger to her. In speaking of him, Mrs. Campaign was visbly affected, as were the other members of the family, and more especially the boys, of whom he was a constant companion.

``Word was sent to the parents at Orillia last night by Mrs. Campaign.

``Since arriving in France, the family with whom he made his home had received but one letter from Pte. Turnbull, and at that time he had not been in the trenches. He was a companion of Pte. Richie, who was killed a few days ago.^`1

¹ `91^st Man Met Death on the Field of War : Word Comes That Pte. Turnbull Was Killed in Action``

Hamilton Spectator.    March 30, 1915