George Twinning

Employment records of the late George Edward Twinning of Painswick

Documents donated by Mrs Muriel Twinning

George Twinning was born in Painswick in 1872, the son of Ezra and Sarah Twinning. In 1891 he completed an apprenticeship as a wheelwright and carpenter (see D8778/1 below)

At the time of the 1901 census, he was employed in his trade and living with his young family at 'The Park', Painswick. He and his neighbours at 'The Park' and 'Park Cottage' worked for Edwin Trotman of 'Park House', a retired farmer. By 1910, Edwin Trotman was resident at 'St David's', Painswick and 'Park House' was inhabited by Govier Ernest Cuthbert (Kelly's Directory, 1910)

In 1909, the new owner of the estate, probably Govier Ernest Cuthbert, demanded that all employees change their religion to Roman Catholicism. George did not welcome this intrusion into his private life. In 1909, without waiting to be sacked, he set about finding alternative employment. He placed an advertisement in the Wilts and Gloucs Standard and received a positive response from the Rendcomb estate where he then took up employment (see D8778/2 below)

George Twinning was killed in World War I at the age of 44 and is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, West Vlaanderen (Flanders), Belgium (For these and other details see the web site of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, www.cwgc.org)

(Note, much of the above information, was supplied by the donor)