Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War Abyssinian theatre D.C.M. group of seven awarded to Company Sergeant Major (later Captain) W. H. Twyman, The Loyal Regiment, attached 2nd Battalion The Gold Coast Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (3850823 W.O. Cl. 2 W. H. Twyman. Loyal R.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (3850823 Sjt. W. H. Twyman. Loyals); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Africa Star; War Medal, these four all privately named ‘P/234316 Capt. W. H. Twyman’; Regular Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (3850823 W.O. Cl. 2. W. H. Twyman. (D.C.M.) Loyal R.) edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise very fine (7) £2500-3000

D.C.M. London Gazette 21 October 1941 (Abyssinia): ‘C.S.M. William Henry Twyman, The Loyal Regiment attd 2nd Bn The Gold Coast Regiment.’

The recommendation states: ‘This British Warrant Officer was Company Sergeant-Major of “C” Company during the engagement at Bulo Erillo on 13th February 1941. In the early stages, the Company Commander, 2nd-in-Command and one of the Platoon Commanders were killed. Pending the arrival of a Platoon Commander to take over, C.S.M. Twyman continued to direct and control the advance of the Company with scarcely any pause.

During the advance he personally subdued with grenades an enemy M.G. post which was holding up the advance of the neighbouring Company. He also effectively controlled the fire of the mortar detachment allotted to his Company. Throughout the engagement C.S.M. Twyman’s coolness and resource were an inspiration to the men about him and to the young Officer who assumed command of the Company after the deaths of the Company Commander and 2nd-in-Command.’

Twyman was commissioned as War Substantive Lieutenant on 19 April 1942 and became Temporary Captain on 15 March 1943.