Captain, Oswald Graham Noel (k/a Noel) Turnbull, M.C. – Survived the War

Royal Automobile Club & Royal Army Service Corps 

Noel Turnbull during the 1920 Olympics at Antwerp, Belgium.

Overview

Oswald Graham Noel Turnbull, known as Noel Turnbull, was a famous doubles tennis player in the post World War One period, his greatest achievement in that sport being winning a gold medal in the 1920 Antwerp Olympics in Doubles Tennis along with his tennis partner Max Woosnam, he was also involved in numerous Davis Cup matches. He was part of a well-known shipping family and was a partner in the business, Turnbull, Scott and Company.

He was to travel to France / Belgium in 1914, in support of the British Expeditionary Force while a member of the Royal Automobile Club, most probably transporting senior staff. He later transferred to the Royal Army Service Corps where he was to achieve the rank of Captain and was awarded the Military Cross for his service. He survived the war and returned to the Shipping business. He travelled extensively throughout his business interests, particularly to Buenos Aires, Argentina. He appears on too many shipping passenger lists to log.

Military and Civilian Research

  • 20 December 1890 – Born at Highgate, London.
  • 25th April 1914 – He married Doris Trevor Pearce-Jones at St George’s Church, Hanover Square, London.
  • 7 February 1915 – His son Graham Trevor March Turnbull was born to his wife Doris Trevor Pearce Jones or Turnbull at Reed House, West Byfleet, Surrey.
  • 29 May 1915 – His son was baptised in Surrey.
  • 28 June 1915 – Noel was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant.
  • 31 January 1916 – Son, Michael Thomas Turnbull was born.
  • 29 May 1917 – He was mentioned in dispatches in the London Gazette.
  • 1 January 1918 – Noel was awarded the Military Cross.
  • 23 August 1920 – Won the Olympics Doubles Gold Medal with Max Woosnam.
  • July 1936 – Divorced his first wife Doris Pearce-Jones.
  • January 1937 – Marriage registered to Audrey Charlotte Croft or Mellor at Westminster District.
  • July-September 1959 – Married Anne Cole-Hamilton at Westminster, Middlesex.
  • 17 December 1970 – Noel died at Whitby, North Yorkshire, leaving £167, 977 in his will, his address was shown as Fifield House, Fifield, Berkshire.
From Surrey Advertiser dated 29 April 1914, marriage to his first wife Doris.

Family

His divorce from his first wife Doris from the Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligence dated 21 July 1936.

Oswald Graham Noel Turnbull was born on 20th December 1890 at Highgate, London. The following family information is taken from the 1901 Census.

His family is shown as follows :-

  • Father – Reginald March Turnbull, born c.1848 at Whitby, Yorkshire.
  • Mother – Frances Clitheroe Turnbull.
  • Sister – Beatrice Helen Turnbull, born c.1876 at Islington, London, died 28 May 1953.
  • Brother – Sir Reginald March Kesterson, born 23 November 1878 at St. Pancras, London, died 1943.
  • Brother – Stanley, born c.1881 at St. Pancras, London.
  • Brother – Clifford Punsfer, born c.1886 at London.
  • Brother – Thomas Lancelot Gawain Turnbull, born c.1892 at Highgate, died of wounds on 15 April 1915.
  • Cousin – Thomas M. Turnbull, born c.1877 at Hawkercum Stainacre, Yorkshire.
His marriage to his second wife, Audrey from Nottingham Evening Post dated 22 February 1937.

Addresses

  • In the 1891 Census, Noel is shown as residing with his parents and siblings at Byculla, Broadlands Road, Highgate, London. In 1916 this was opened as Byculla and Crosfield Voluntary Aid Detachment Hospital, Highgate. It is now, Broadlands Lodge, Highgate.
  • 1901 – In residential School at Hemel Hempstead.
  • 1911 Census – Boarding at Avenue Villas, The Avenue, Barnet, Hertfordshire.
  • 1930 – Post Office Directory has his address as 204 West Hill, Putney, SW15.
  • 22 February 1937 – address is given as Aldford House, Park Lane, London.
  • After the war when he was being awarded his medals his address was given as Colebrook Lodge, West Hill, Putney.
  • 1939 – Fifield House, Fifield, Berkshire.
  • 1952 – Electoral Register has his address as the Baltic Exchange Chambers alongside a Michael his son and Reginald Turnbull his brother.

Medals

Oswald Graham Noel Turnbull was awarded The Military Cross, the 1914 Star, the Victory and the British War Medals for his service in the Great War.

Medal Index Card for Noel Turnbull.

Links to Additional Information

References

  • Medal Index Card.
  • London Gazette dated 14 July 1915.
  • London Gazette dated 29 May 1917.
  • London Gazette dated 1 January 1918.
  • Civil Registrations of Marriages 1916-2005.
  • Civil Registrations of Marriages 1837-1915
  • England and Wales Registration of Births.
  • Post Office London Directory 1930.
  • London Electoral Register – 1952.
  • 1891 Census
  • 1901 Census
  • 1911 Census
  • Surrey Advertiser
  • Nottingham Evening Post
  • Yorkshire Post.

Groups

Contributors:-

  • Vincent Stuart
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