Turnaway, Frank

Frank Turnaway was born in Russia on 16 June 1897. It is not known when he immigrated to Canada.

A farmer, Turnaway enlisted in the 63rd Canadian Infantry Battalion (Edmonton) in Edmonton, Alberta, on 7 July 1915. He was later transferred to the 43rd Canadian Infantry Battalion (Cameron Highlanders of Canada).

Turnaway was killed during a daylight raid on German trenches on 5 April 1917 near Vimy Ridge. The 43rd Battalion’s war diary states that the raid was conducted by groups of men drawn from the battalion’s B, C, and D companies. Turnaway was a member of the D Company raiding party. Part of the preparations for the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the raid was undertaken to ascertain the effects of Allied artillery fire on the German defences. B and C companies encountered relatively light resistance and were able to inflict considerable damage on German supplies and defences while also taking some prisoners. D Company, however, met with strong opposition, and a “stubborn and bloody fight” ensued. Observers watching from the Canadian lines stated that Turnaway killed 10 defenders before being killed.

The human cost of the 43rd Battalion’s largely successful raid was one officer and four men of other ranks killed, one officer and three men of other ranks missing and believed killed, and 17 men of other ranks wounded. The number of German casualties is unknown but was likely over 40.

Frank Turnaway is buried in Écoivres Military Cemetery, in France.