No.31865, Private Thomas James TWITCHETT
Aged 23
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Thomas James Twitchett was born in Ashen on 28th July 1893 (Risbridge Q3-1893 4A:7709), baptised in Ashen on 27th August 1893, son of
Joseph and Rebecca TWITCHETT (née BIRD). Various records have him as Thomas, others as James.
1901 census...Aged 7, Thomas was at Pannels Ash, Ashen with his father Joseph TWITCHETT [43] horseman; his mother Rebecca [45]; sisters Annie [3] and Ena [3]. All were born in Ashen. 1911 census...Aged 17, now James, a farm labourer, he was still in Pannels Ash with his parents and sisters Annie and Ena His nephew Percy Peacock (son of sister Ena) died as a prisoner of war of the Japanese in 1943.. see here |
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Thomas enlisted in Clare. CWGC have him in the 6th battalion but they were never in France.
At 4:25 on 28th April they went over the top by OPPY WOOD, but were soon held up by un-cut wire. Heavy fighting ensued and eventually the Germans got behind them. All their officers and most of the NCOs were casualties and they were ordered to fall back at 9 am. Scattered parties made their way back to the original British line, running from shell hole to shell hole. When relieved, they returned to Roclincourt at 5 am on 29th. CWGC records 127 killed, only five with a known grave. |
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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