- Day 935 of the war
- Bertie Tanner [aka Joseph Turner] dies of disease in England
- The Victorian Government announces that electricity prices have dropped by 25% since the introduction of daylight savings in January
- German airships drop bombs on Boulogne town and harbour; damage is minimal
- British troops in Mesopotamia capture the remaining Turkish positions in the Dahra bend west of Kut-al-Amara. They capture nearly 2,000 prisoners.
16 February 1917
Bertram “Bertie” Frederick Tanner was the second son and third child of William Edwin Tanner (Snr) and Catherine Tanner (nee Archer) and was born on January 8, 1876 in Molong, New South Wales, Australia.
Bertie enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces (A.I.F.) 33rd Battalion on August 30, 1915 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. His Military Serial Number was 7558. He deserted on October 29, 1915.
Joseph Turner enlisted at Walgett, New South Wales, Australia on July 11, 1916 and his Military Serial Number was 2651, but still listed his father William Tanner as his next-of-kin. Joseph’s will was made out to his nephew, Warran Tanner (then of Abbotsford, Sydney). Joesph embarked on the “SS Napier” on the November 17, 1916 sailing to England where Joseph was stationed (again) with the 33rd Battalion this time on the Salisbury Plains. Lance Corporal Joseph Turner was admitted to Tidworth Military Hospital, Wiltshire, England and died of Pneumonia and a Heart Attack on February 16, 1917. His WW1 Service Record indicate that after news reached Australia of “Joseph’s” death, the authorities were notified by various members of the family of Bertie’s true identify. Bertie was buried with full Military Honours at the Tidworth Military Cemtery in Wiltshire, England on the February 19, 1917.