1 RCR Corporal’s Battalion Colours Mural unveiled at Y-101

Corporal Ed Turner’s mural masterpiece was unveiled at the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment’s (1 RCR) Victoria Barracks (Y-101).

The talented artist spent the last year painting 1 RCR’s Colours, carefully crafting the massive 22 x 27 foot oil painting over hundreds of hours. Original plans were to hang it outside the Y-101 building, but it may actually find its home inside the drill hall.

The initial idea and approval for the project came from 1 RCR Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Steven MacBeth. Cpl Turner was then given the freedom to add his own artistic vision. “It is great work for this Battalion,” said 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (2 CMBG) Brigade Sergeant Major Chief Warrant Officer Shawn Mercer during the June 13 unveiling. “That says something about his love for not only the regiment but his battalion.

“That type of passion is a rare thing and it resides in him.”

Cpl Turner is humble about his talent, shyly accepting praise with modesty and gratitude. And high praise is what his masterpiece has garnered, with many openly sharing their admiration of his work. “It is fantastic,” said 1 RCR Deputy Commander Major Marc Kieley. “Cpl Turner has been working on this for the past year and it started with a sketch of an idea that our CO had and it ... spiraled into this fantastic piece of art.”

He is duly impressed by the finished project, having only seen it in pieces as the artist worked on it in between his Regimental duties. Once assembled, Maj Kieley said he was surprised and awed at how big it was.

For Cpl Turner, it was an honour to be asked to create this piece. Though he is leaving the Regiment, he has been a member for the past decade, and having the opportunity to leave his mark in such a major way is a dream come true.

“I tried to do my best representation of the Colours,” he said. “I’m very happy with it.”