Harris Turner
Harris Turner (October 3, 1887 – August 12, 1972) was a Canadian journalist, soldier, publisher, and political figure in Saskatchewan. In 1915 he joined the Canadian military and went overseas with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He fought in the battle at Sanctuary Wood in 1916, where he was wounded, losing his sight.
Harris Turner | |
|---|---|
| Leader of the Opposition (Saskatchewan) | |
| In office 1924–1925 | |
| Preceded by | John Archibald Maharg |
| Succeeded by | |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan for Active Service Voters in France and Belgium (two members) | |
| In office 1917–1921 | |
| Preceded by | None; new position |
| Succeeded by | None; position abolished |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan for Saskatoon City (two members) | |
| In office 1921–1925 | |
| Preceded by | Donald Maclean |
| Succeeded by |
|
| Member of the Saskatoon City Council | |
| In office 1929–1930 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 3, 1887 Markdale, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | August 12, 1972 (aged 84) Victoria, British Columbia, Canada |
| Political party | Provincial :
|
| Spouse |
Alice M. Moyer (m. 1919) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Toronto |
| Profession |
|
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Canada |
| Branch/service | Canadian Expeditionary Force |
| Years of service | 1915–1917 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit | 1st University Company (Saskatchewan), attached to Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry |
| Battles/wars | Sanctuary Wood (1916) |
In the Saskatchewan general election of 1917, he was elected as a member of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly representing Saskatchewan soldiers on active service in France and Belgium. He was re-elected to the Assembly in the general election of 1921, representing the city of Saskatoon. During the legislative sessions of 1924 and 1925, he was the leader of the opposition in the Assembly, although sitting as an independent member. Defeated in the 1925 election, he sat briefly on the Saskatoon City Council (1929–1930), before retiring for health reasons.
Turner was one of the founders of the farm newspaper, The Western Producer, which is still in operation, a century later.
Turner moved to British Columbia for health reasons in 1931. He worked for ten years with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, finally retiring in 1945.