Turnquest was born in
Grants Town,
New Providence, to Robert and Gwendolyn Turnquest. After obtaining his Cambridge Junior Certificate, Cambridge Senior Certificate and London Matriculation Certificate at the
Government High School between 1942 and 1945, he was articled in the law chambers of the late
Hon. A. F. Adderley from 1947 to 1953, being called to The Bahamas Bar on 26 June 1953. He subsequently studied at the
University of London (1957–60), earning a bachelor of laws degree (LLB) with honours, and in July 1960 was admitted to the English Bar as a member of
Lincoln's Inn. He was
knighted in 1995. ==Honours==