Maker: Jennifer Roper

Panel number: 157

Petition Sheet Number: 191

Person honouring: Jessie Turner

Relationship to makers: Grandmother

Jessie Turner (nee Percival) was born on the 2nd of February 1866 at Lincoln Road, Christchurch.

Her parents were Thomas Percival and Harriet Percival (Nee East). Thomas and Harriet married in Devonshire, England. Thomas was a Veterinary Surgeon.

In 1884, Jessie at the age of 18 married John Richard Turner at St Saviours Church, Sydenham, Christchurch.

John was born in Yarmouth, England and came to New Zealand in 1864 on the “British Empire”.

Jessie and John had 10 children. Two of their sons died in World War I and one died on arriving home with war wounds. One of their sons Clarence, was my father.

This very strong lady started a Maternity Hospital in 1904.

In 1925, the Government made a law that such hospitals had to be run by a qualified nurse. Jessie passed her Maternity Nursing qualifications in 1926 at the age of 60.

Jessie died in November 1939 and is buried in the Woolston Cemetery.

Written by her granddaughter Jennifer Roper QSM