Turtill's father died in London when he was only three years old and his mother decided to move to New Zealand to be with relatives.

[3] He started his rugby union career playing for Christchurch Albion before making the Canterbury team in 1902.

He was selected because he was considered well versed in wet weather football, something the side would constantly experience in Great Britain.

Turtill captained the side in the first ever trans-Tasman test against the Australia national rugby league team on 9 May 1908 when New Zealand won 11-10.

Turtill only scored one try on tour, but it was an important one - the first by New Zealand in a test match against Great Britain at Leeds on 25 January 1908 - and helped them win the series.