The following information has been provided about the Twist Family, some members of which lived in central Northampton during The Great War period.
WILLIAM HENRY SULLIVAN MM
Company Serjeant Major
8277
6th Bn; Northamptonshire Regiment
Died on Tuesday 26th September 1916, aged 29.
Born at St Edmund’s Road, Northampton.
Son of William Sullivan. Husband of Alice Maud Mary Sullivan (nee Twist) – married on 26th May 1915.
Enlisted at Northampton.
Died during the attack on Thiepval.
“The heavy losses among officers bought, great responsibility upon the N.C.Os who, however proved equal to the emergency. At a vital part of the attack one company and a half were held up by a machine gun which was causing heavy casualties. Sergt. W.E. Boulter, although severely wounded in the shoulder, advanced alone across the open and bombed the enemy from their position. For this he was awarded the V.C… Companies or platoons were led by Sergts. Partridfe, Pullen, Peek, Sullivan and Corporal Tack.”
From Northamptonshire and The Great War – account of 6th Bn; Northamptonshire Regiment attack on Trones Wood in July 1916.
The Twist Family: William (Billy), Walter, Oliver(Olly), Roland, James(Father)*, James (Jim)
*James Twist was the Conductor of Northampton Opera House Orchestra. ( Now The Royal Theatre).
Information supplied by Gillian Smith and Jackie Mayo.
[ Granddaughthers of James Twist ( Senior ) ].