User:Albert Turnbull

Albert James Turnbull was born in 1936, son of Albert Victor and Lillian Turnbull. Albert Victor was an Alderman and Magistrate and he and lillian twice served as Mayor and Mayoress of Gateshead

Albert James was educated in Gateshead at St. Cuthberts Boys school and passed the old 11+ entry exam for Whitehall Road Secondary Technical school. He served his apprenticeship as a coachbuilder at Northern General Transport, Bensham Works. After serving two years National Service in the RAF Albert moved on to lecturing in Motor Bodywork at Gateshead Technical College for 34 years. He also taught Family History at the College long before it became such a popular subject

Albert has managed to create several records in different fields. His 724 recorded games as an amateur footballer,for Bensham Works was accepted by Norris McWhirter in the Guiness Book of records.

He became the first commoner to trace his ancestry back through 56 generation to Cerdic, King of Wessex in the year 540. This was accepted by the English Heritage Society.

He is also the author of several local books "Grandads Story, an autobiography. "On the Trail of the Missing Seasons," Which traces the history of Gateshead FC from 1960 to 1977 Turnbull of Tyneside N.G.T.Bensham football records 1948 - 1972. "All in the Family" Copies of which are in the Gateshead and Whickham Libraries.

Albert is married to Rita, nee Pither. They have two children Hayley married to Kevin Jackson and Ian married to Janice Davison. Their 4 grandchildren are Rachel Jackson, Alex Jackson, Emily Turnbull and Lucy Turnbull