Career
Turnbull was in the Royal Navy during the Second World War, serving aboard HMS Bulldog, HMS Alnwick Castle and HMS Plover. In November 2015, Turnbull was posthumously awarded an Arctic Star military campaign medal. During the late 1940s and 1950s he was one of the Famous Five, the noted forward line, along with Gordon Smith, Bobby Johnstone, Lawrie Reilly, and Willie Ormond.
This was because he did not play in any Home International matches, and caps were only awarded for playing in those matches until the mid-1970s.
This situation was rectified in 2006 as a result of Gary Imlach"s successful campaign for his father Stewart Imlach and other players affected by this rule to receive recognition. He was manager of between 1965 and 1971, during which time he had some success, winning the 1970 Scottish Cup and finishing second in the league in 1971.
Turnbull died on 30 April 2011, aged 88. chairman Rod Petrie stated that no-one had made a greater contribution to the club than Turnbull. Player Manager.