Stephen James Twyman

Rank:

Private

Regimental number:

772517

Unit at enlistment:

125th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Date of death:

March 31st, 1918

Cemetery:

Wanquetin Communal Cemetery Extension - Pas de Calais, France - I.D.6.

Birth country:

England

Birth county:

Greater London

Birth city:

London

Address at enlistment:

120 Wellington Street, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

120 Wellington Street, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Printer

Employer:

Brantford Expositor

Religious denominations:

Church of England

Marital status:

Married

Age at enlistment:

Letters and documents

Cause and Place of Death: Killed in Action

BX April 13, 1918

Private Stephen James Twyman Reported Killed in Action

Word has been received in the city yesterday by Mrs. S. Twyman 176 Dalhousie Street, that her husband, Stephen Twyman, who enlisted with the 125th Battalion in this city, had been killed in action on March 31. Steve was well known in this city, having been a popular member of the Typographical Union and a splendid type of fellow in every respect. He was formerly employed in The Expositor, where he learned his trade, and was greatly esteemed by all his comrades.

BX October 26, 1916

The Parting Taken to Heart – Lance Corporal Stephen James Twyman Tells of the Regrets of the 125th Boys at Being Separated

That the boys of the 125th Battalion, who were separated from their comrades in the draft which went to France, took it greatly to heart, is told in a letter received by members of his family here from Steve Twyman, formerly on The Expositor mechanical staff. He writes:

October 11, 1916

772517 – Lance-Corp. S. Twyman,
A Co., 125th Canadians,
Bramshott Camp

Dear Sister,

Received your letter this afternoon, but I sure didn’t expect to receive any more mail in England. The last time I wrote you I expected to be in France by the time you got my letter. Things and orders change like everything else, however, and here I am still with all my chums away in France. Up until the last moment I was ready to go. I had my new equipment issued, together with my identification disc, and a 24 hour ration. I was lined up and inspected by the brigadier and Colonel Colquhoun, and just before they left the station, Jim Sumby, Jack Donahue and myself were told we were to fall out and were not to go with the boys. Naturally (in one way) we were disappointed very much but now are gradually getting used to it. I thought the parting from the old folks in Canada was painful enough, but it was nothing as compared with saying good-bye to No. 1 platoon, with all my “soldier-boy” chums. I cannot express my feelings on paper how I felt saying good-bye to the boys. I am not ashamed to admit to anyone that I cried like a little kid. I sure don’t want the experience again, but I guess I’ll never get the chance to make the acquaintances of so many decent fellows in one platoon. No. 1 platoon have gone to reinforce the ---- battalion, and the balance of A. Company, together with B. Company have gone to the ---- battalion. C and D Company boys alone remain here, and I expect it is only a matter of a few weeks before they are busted up, too. In all probability I may go with them, but things are so uncertain around here we don’t know where we are at half the time. Any day now we are expecting men from Canada to fill up our new depleted ranks. I only hope we can have a half decent bunch from Canada to be in the 125th. It is sure a shame to see such a battalion as the 125th broken up so soon, but when the higher authorities say so and so, well I guess it has to be done, but you bet we kick at every little thing. That is a soldier’s only privilege – to kick. Sometimes he gets away with it, but generally he gets C.B. or extra duty (if they hear him). I have just been told that 11,000 men have just landed in England from dear old Canada. Here’s hoping they don’t get broken up like the poor old “Brants” did. The good old officers of A and B Companies sure did take it to heart at being torn away from “their” boys so soon, with only a few days’ notice. Captain Bingle, especially, felt badly. I can assure you he has been like a father to the boys of A Company, and will certainly be missed by the fellows. As no doubt you are aware, none of the 125th officers went to France, except Lieutenant Livingston, who I think went with them to act as transport officer, but he will be returning to England in the course of a day or so. Morson Smith, Dean Andrews and Jack Orr have all received their commissions now, and once again are full-fledged lieutenants.