Alexander Turnbull, the nephew of an international footballer who died in France in 1917, played a single season for Exeter City in 1938/39 before being reported ‘missing presumed dead’ at Christmas 1944 whilst serving in the Royal Navy.

Nephew of Sandy Turnbull (1884-1917), who played for Manchester City, Manchester United and Scotland, Alexander started with Albion Rovers before following in his uncle’s footsteps by signing for Manchester City. He then played for Droylsden in 1937-38.

Signing for Exeter City in the summer of 1938, he made a goalscoring debut against Mansfield Town at St James’ Park in September 1938 ahead of playing just thirteen league games for the club. 

Released after one season there is no record of him joining another club for the short-lived 1939/40 season. With little known about his future footballing whereabouts, David Alexander Turnbull  - a descendant - contacted the archive in 2022 with the information that, serving on HMS Lauderdale, Alexander was reported ‘missing presumed dead’ on Christmas Day 1944. 

Alexander Turnbull is also recorded in the Killed in Action section of this archive.