Leopold Olerenshaw Turner was born in Church Stretton, Salop, Shropshire,1 England on 14 April 1884. He was the son of Charles Turner (b. 1835) and Amelia Harrison Corlette McCombe (b. 1854).
His father, a native of Newport, Shropshire, was described on the 1881 census as a baker and Chelsea Pensioner and he also saw army service. He was married in 1867 in India to Amelia Harrison Corlette McCombe who was born in Belgaum, Bombay (present-day Mumbai) to Scottish parents. They later returned to Britain, initially settling in Aldershot, and went on to have ten children: Charles Foxton (b. 1871), Arthur Edward (b. 1874), Henry Glendenning (b. 1876), Percy John (b. 1878), Maude Elizabeth (b. 1880), Kate Emily (b. 1882), Leopold (b. 1884), Vernon Lane (b. 1886), Amelia Frances (b. 1889) and Leonard McCombe (b. 1891). The family settled in Church Stretton around 1882.
Leopold first appears on the 1891 census and at the time he and his family were living at Church Street in Church Stretton. The family were still listed at this address on the 1901 census but Leopold was absent and listed elsewhere as a club waiter at the Midland Conservative Club in Waterloo Street, Birmingham. When Leopold went to sea is not clear but by the time of the 1911 census he was unlisted and presumably on seafaring duties. His family were still residing in Church Stretton at 31 Church Street. His mother passed away over the summer months of 1911 but what became of his father is not clear. Leopold himself was never married.
Leopold first signed-on to the Titanic in Belfast on 1 April 1912 and made the delivery trip to Southampton. When he signed again on 4 April 1912, he gave his address as 19 Terminus Terrace (Southampton), a lodgings address. He had transferred from the Olympic. As a first class steward he received monthly wages of £3, 15s.
Leopold Turner's 28th birthday saw the Titanic strike an iceberg; he died in the sinking. His body was recovered by the Mackay-Bennett (#23). After his effects were listed he was buried at sea on 21 April 1912
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NO. 23. - MALE. - ESTIMATED AGE, 25. - HAIR, DARK. CLOTHING - Striped Steward's coat marked "W. A. Storr"; Steward's vest and apron; shirt marked "L. Turner." EFFECTS - Knife; pencil and 6 pence half-penny; tickets for rooms 9 and 10. PROBABLY STEWARD. |
Leopold Turner is remembered on his mother's headstone in Church Stretton cemetery Cunnery Road, Shropshire, England.
Comment and discuss
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Hi, Last weekend I met a lady who was researching First Class Saloon Steward Turner. All she could find is that he signed on board in Belfast on April 1st, and then signed on (again?) on April 4th giving his address as 19 Terminus Terrace, Southampton. His monthly wages were 3 pounds 15 shillings. His body was later recovered by the Mackay Bennett, and was found wearing a striped steward's coat marked "W.A. Storr", a steward's vest and apron and a shirt marked "L.Turner." He was carrying a knife, a pencil and 6 1 Cheers! Paul
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This is a member of my family on my mother's side
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A somewhat distant relation, the uncle of an uncle (my late mums' sisters' husband) but nontheless a tragic loss.
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