Brentford soldier to be honoured at war memorial re-dedication

Edgar Harold Holmes Turner, son of Brentford librarian Fred Turner, died just after his 21st birthday after being wounded in 1916, when the flares that he was carrying exploded near the Varda River.

His name is just one of 177 etched on the 80-year-old memorial, now in Brentford Library after a two-year battle by campaigners to save the marble stone. The campaigners’ fight began after it emerged the memorial could be destroyed by an overhanging tree if it wasn’t moved from its home at St Lawrence Church.

Members of the residents’ organisation, Brentford Steering Group, landed a council grant and tirelessly fundraised to keep the memorial alive. They succeeded and now it is safely in Brentford Library and plans have been unveiled for a re-dedication ceremony next Saturday.

It was only two years ago Edgar’s photographs were discovered in his father’s papers, and library staff were shocked when they found shots of soldiers with their horses, pictures of some receiving letters, and of explosions and mules pulling hospital carts.

Hauntingly there were even pictures of Edgar’s grave taken by his comrades with his own camera to send home.

After the photographs were discovered, they were put on display at Brentford Library and the Imperial War Museum requested copies.

Soldiers from Hounslow Barracks and a brass band will be at the re-dedication ceremony next Saturday.

Campaigners, who had to take their appeal to the secretary of state after St Lawrence's Church was bought in 2006, said they thought it was important to Brentford the memorial stayed.

Brentford Steering Group member Julia Quilliam, whose brother died in Afghanistan three years ago, said: “It has taken us two years but it has been worth it. I know how vital it is for the people of Brentford to remember those who died.”

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