Alexander Twaites (WWI)

Hi all, Could I please ask for help to help someone else. The person I am trying to help was orphaned at 14 and all photos and documents were lost in a fire. The name I am interested in is her father, Alexander Twaites, born 1886, Coventry. Fought in the Great War 1915-1919. His brother, Leonard, service number 9773 private died 1915 was in the Northamptonshire Regiment (if that is of any help). This is all I have been able to find out so far. All or any information about her father, where born, which Regiment in the war, occupation, anything however small would please someone very much. My kindest regards to all, however near or far because you are a grand bunch of like minded mates with patience. PS. Just found out he was a Press Setter but where or who for I do not know.

Hi John. There is an Alexander Twaites, born "about 1887" - buried in London Road cemetery on 4th Feb 1957. I have a grave ref should you want it.

There's an extensive family tree for an Alexander Twaites born in Coventry in the 4th quarter of 1886 here.

John, I have emailed you some info on Alexanders and Leonards army records. Hope its some help.

Thank you all for your great response, yes please TonyS to the grave number. All information is good so no matter how small or about any of the family please send. Do not know what to say really as Thank You seems so small.

In 1911 Alexander was living at 28 Stockton Road with his mother and family. He was working as a finisher at a cycle works. His brother Leonard was a store keeper at an Ordnance Works.He also had a brother Horace who was an assistant store keeper at a cycle works. It says his mother had 10 children 2 of which had died by 1911. His father is not with them although it says his mother is married but she may be widowed. They also had 3 lodgers. He died in Gulson Road in 1957, he was then living at 39 Melville Road. From the newspaper archives The following Twaites were members of the Tipperary club and are shown on the Roll of Honour in 1915 E Twaites, Sherwood Foresters. L Twaites, Northampton Regiment Luke Twaites 2nd Royal Warwicks Horace Twaites Royal Scots Fusilliers. Horace was killed 13th March 1915 at Neuve Chapelle and L Twaites on 2nd October 1915 at the Battle of Loos.

Have now found Alexander's father. William Henry Twaites is actually living with his son Amos and family in Bond Street in 1911. Several reports in the newspaper show him as being drunk and disorderly. It also says he was very deaf. In one report he says he was not drunk but he had a swimming in his head.

Hello Anne, Thank you for your information, please do not stop because I know you are good at finding things out. Also, to others who replied directly to me, all the information has been different to each others. Already the lady in question has far more information than she knew before and I am a sucker for "red eyes and a tissue". Eliza thinks you are all wonderful (I have my doubts) so please, any and all information is welcome. The next Breakfast meeting will be on me.

So good to see you back on the forum, scrutiny. There are several trees on Ancestry that include Alexander Twaites. At least one of them may be the tree of a descendant of Alexander's siblings. If your friend would like me to, I can contact the tree owner and ask if he/she could share the tree via email.

Hello Primrose and thank you, it would please me greatly if you would do that. I know that Eliza already appreciates what everyone on here has done so far. The information so far has filled so many gaps for her. It is nice to help someone, it gives meaning to life.

Have sent you a private message.

The 1911 census for Amos Twaites does show his father, but his name is William Twaites, not William Henry Twaites. Can anyone let me know how I can get a subscription for the newspaper archive? If anyone needs anything looking up on Ancestry, I'll be happy to help.

Here is a link to the British Newspaper Archive site. At the top of the page is a link to subscribe, a fascinating site that has given me a lot of background information for my family tree! Enjoy You will find that on the census they don't always put second names. Perhaps if son Amos gave the information he would not have known that his father even had a second name.