Sgt. Hubert Sydney Turtill

"Jum" Hurbert Sydney Turtill was a New Zealand rugby international. He played one Test for his country in 1905 against Australia, after the 1905 Originals had already left for their tour of Britain. In 1907 he joined up with the All Golds, a team of NZ rugby players who had switched to rugby league, who toured Britain. Subsequently he stayed in England and played league for St Helens. With the arrival of war in 1914 he signed up with the Engineers and survived up until the German spring offensive of 1918, when he was killed in action.

Hubert Turtill was the husband of Mabel Edith Turtill (nee Hancock). His sons, Ken Turtill (23089) and Alan Turtill (20065) served in WW2. Alan was killed in the war and Ken was a POW. Listed on the New Zealand, Electoral Rolls, 1905-1906 Canterbury, Christchurch South as residing together with a Ethel Margaret and Astley William (carpenter) at Harman Street, Sydenham, Christchurch. All Black in 1905. Toured the British Isles with the 1907-08 All Golds. Played for the St Helens Rugby League Club in England from 1909 to 1914. Source: Cenotaph.

Sources

1. Cenotaph: https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/...
2. Reference: 1911 England & Wales Census - SmartCopy: Jun 6 2020, 1:38:37 UTC
3. Residence: Apr 2 1911 - 51. Duke Street, St Helens, Lancashire, England
4. Saints Heritage Society, Biography of Hubert Turtill by Dave Dooley: http://saints.org.uk/saints/player.php?num=16455
5. Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubert_Turtill