Main CPGW Record
Surname: TWISLETON
Forename(s): Francis Darbyshire
Place of Birth: ---
Service No: 11/158
Rank: Trooper
Regiment / Corps / Service: Wellington Mounted Rifles
Battalion / Unit: ---
Division: New Zealand and Australian Division
Age: 26
Date of Death: 1915-08-09
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: 6.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: CHUNUK BAIR (NEW ZEALAND) MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial(s): Not Listed (View Names Not Listed on a Local War Memorial)
Additional Information:
Francis Darbyshire Twisleton (born 3 January 1888) was the son of Frederick Fiennes and Rachel Twisleton (née -) and brother of Corporal Ronald Burnsall Twisleton (7/2323) (q.v.). Their father was born at Winskill, Langcliffe, Yorkshire. Francis and Ronald were cousins of Major Francis Morphet Twisleton (9/662) (q.v.).
New Zealand service records: https://www.govt.nz/browse/history-culture-and-heritage/nz-history/get-a-copy-of-a-ww1-service-record/
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
TWISTLETON, Trooper Francis D., nephew of Mr. T. Twistleton of Almscliffe, Menston. Connected with the Wellington Regiment, New Zealand Mounted Rifles, son of Mr. Fred F. Twistleton, Palmerston North, New Zealand and formerly of Winskill, near Settle, killed in action in the Dardanelles Aug.7, 1915.
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Trooper Francis Darbyshire TWISLETON
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Wellington Mounted Rifles
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: New Zealand and Australian Division
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Trooper Francis Darbyshire Twisleton
Courtesy of Auckland Museum Online Cenotaph
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
28 January 1916
CRAVEN AND THE WAR – CASUALTIES
Trooper Francis D. Twisleton, a nephew of Mr. T. Twisleton, of Almscliffe, Menston, well known in the Craven Dales, was killed in action in the Dardanelles, August 7th, 1915. He belonged to the Wellington Regiment, New Zealand Mounted Rifles, and was the son of Mr. Fred Twisleton, of Palmerston North, New Zealand, and formerly of Winskill, near Settle, the inhabitants of which district will learn with regret of his untimely fate.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
30 November 1917
SETTLE
KILLED AND MISSING
It is with deep regret that we have to report the death from wounds of Captain F.M. Twisleton, of Menston, and formerly of Settle. Leaving England for New Zealand some 20 years ago, he had an adventurous and varied career. At the outbreak of the Boer War he volunteered for and fought through the war, at the conclusion of which he returned to New Zealand, where he married and settled down to farming. He took a keen interest in military matters, and was captain of the Gisborne Frontiersmen; indeed so popular was he with the whole Legion that he was unanimously elected commandant of New Zealand.
At the outbreak of the present war he at once offered for service, and came out with the Otago Mounted Rifles. He fought through the Gallipoli campaign, where he won the Military Cross, for conspicuous bravery and good work done in the field.
After spending several months in hospitals he went to the Western front, taking command of the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion, with whom he remained until just before Oct. 4th, when he left for Egypt to rejoin the mounted men. On arriving there he at once proceeded to the fighting line in Palestine, where he received the wounds which caused his death on Nov. 15th. He leaves a widow and two daughters.
We also regret to report that Trooper R.B. Twisleton, younger son of Mr. F.F. Twisleton, of Palmerston, North New Zealand, and formerly of Settle, is reported missing, believed killed. Mr. Twisleton lost his elder son in Gallipoli.
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