Richard Turner (Canadian Army officer)

Richard Ernest William Turner, VC, DSO (6 June 1871 – 19 June 1961) was a Canadian soldier and businessman. He is best known for being one of the first Canadians to be awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Turner was born in Quebec City. He served in the Second Boer War, where he earned his Victoria Cross for his actions during the Battle of Leliefontein on 7 November 1900. While commanding a section of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, Turner and his men fought off a larger Boer force, allowing the remaining Canadian artillery and supply wagons to escape.

During the First World War, Turner rose to the rank of Major-General and commanded the 2nd Canadian Division. His performance as a divisional commander during some key battles, particularly the Second Battle of Ypres and the Battle of St. Eloi, was controversial and subject to criticism. He was later removed from command in 1917 and reassigned to an administrative role.

Despite the controversy surrounding his leadership during the First World War, Turner remained a respected figure in Canada. After the war, he returned to business and held several prominent positions. He died in Quebec City in 1961. He is remembered for his Boer War heroism, as well as for his complex and ultimately uneven performance during the First World War. His Victoria Cross is on display at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.