John Twinem

(1853-1936)

John Twinem started the first real estate agency in Fremantle and was also a founder of East Fremantle Bowling Club. He had an interesting life and a tragic death.

Born to parents John Twinem and Frances Maria Redford in Portadown, Northern Ireland, Twinem moved to Australia with his parents in 1858. Travelling on the sailing ship, Meteor, after a 170 day journey, the family arrived in Melbourne where his parents ran a grocery store in Ascot Vale, known to locals as ‘the Beehive Store’. John attended school at Percy Walker school in Melbourne, where he made life-long friends (Reference). He grew to be a sports enthusiast, competing in a number of sports until he fractured his ankle. Despite this injury, Twinem maintained his involvement with sport through he Essendon Football Club, East Melbourne Cricket Club and the Essendon Rowing Club. (Reference). 

In 1882 Twinem married his first wife, Anna Ulrica Lind in Melbourne, and they had three children together. However, In May, 1894, a deed of separation was drawn up. The failed marriage and money troubles led to Twinem attempting suicide several times and he was arrested for his own good.(Reference). 

In 1895, Mr Twinem moved to Adelaide Street, Fremantle with his three children. His petition for divorce on the grounds of adultery was granted. (Reference) (Reference)

John Twinem as the first real estate agent in Fremantle was successful at his job as ‘‘he had a seductive smile, and soon had a rent roll that made other agent’s mouths water”. He was dubbed the ‘father' of estate agents in Fremantle. (Reference) (Reference)

In 1900, Twinem married his second wife, Constance Annie Wilson. Three years later, he started an Insurance and Auction business at 81 High Street, becoming a successful auctioneer. (Reference). Twinem moved his place of business in 1913 to 179 High Street, (Victoria Hall) where he specialised in Fire and Marine Insurance.(Reference) 

Twinem was an enthusiastic fisherman, involved with both the Perth and Fremantle Angling Clubs (Reference) In 1903, Twinem started the first fresh fish market in Fremantle, conducting business with fishermen from Mandurah at 78 High Street. (Reference) 

In 1906, as one of the most influential businessmen in Fremantle, Twinem was also a founding member of the East Fremantle Bowling Club and later helped to inaugurate the Leederville and Cottesloe Clubs. (Reference). He was the first President of the Western Australian Bowling Club, as well as one of the first vice-presidents of the Perth Bowling Association. Twinem participated in various championships, and won many trophies, including a gold trophy for his victory in the Men’s State Fours with three other bowlers (Reference). He also initiated a ‘Veterans Day’ and organised annual reunions meetings of veteran bowlers. (Reference) Twinem was an integral part of Western Australian bowling for over 25 years, finally resigning his involvement in late 1926. (Reference).

1929 Mr John Twinem, knocked down and ill treated by a motor car a few weeks ago, has surprised his friends by getting back to business with his physical features still in a fair state of preservation. Manly men at his age would have gone under after the knock-out, but John still smiles and thanks whatever gods there be for his unconquerable soul. (Reference) 

Twinem took a great interest in public safety and often wrote to the papers regarding issues he wanted resolved for the public good. (Reference)

John Twinem lived at 49 Staton Road, East Fremantle from 1913 to 1917. He moved to 23 Moss Street, where he spent two years from 1918 to 1920, before settling at 36 Staton Road ‘'Ascot Vale’ (formerly Victoria Road, Richmond), up until the day of his death in 1936. (Reference) 

1936 Tragic Death; News of Twinem’s suicide came as a shock to many. Twinem suffered ill health and committed suicide by climbing through the manhole and drowning himself in the water tank of his residence in July 1936, a week short of his 83rd birthday. He left a note indicating that life did not hold much happiness for him and hoped that God would forgive his rash act of taking his own life (Reference). John’s wife, Constance noticed that her husband was missing from his bed. Unable to find him, she called Twinem’s grandson, Arthur John Andrews, who went on a search for his grandfather. Following the search, Arthur discovered Twinem’s pyjamas next to a step-ladder leaning against the water tank, and Twinem’s body was then found with two house-bricks wrapped in paper tied around his neck. With the help of neighbours, the body was recovered and moved to the Fremantle morgue. John Twinem was buried at the Fremantle Cemetery. (Reference) 

Constance Annie Twinem died in April 1945 at the age of 80, and was buried with her husband at the Fremantle Cemetery. (Reference)

Researched and written by Xing Yun Lee and Jason Johnson for www.streetsofeastfreo

Images: 'Presented to W.M. Woodfull Esq, with the Compliments and Congratulations from John Twinem (Aged 77), Fremantle WA'; press clippings of the 1926 and 1930 Australian Tours to England; Orient Line brochure 'Australian XI, English Tour, 1930'; and signed photograph of F.E.Gibson (Mayor of Fremantle). a unique souvenir- One of Twinem’'s hobbies has been the collection of newspaper clippings and photographs, and last Tuesday he presented to the Mayor a large volume containing such a collection apropos of his visits to various parts of the world. He made the request that consideration might be given to placing the book in the proposed museum at Fremantle. It will be recalled that when the Australian XI. passed through Fremantle on October 28, 1930. After the conclusion of a successful English tour, an interesting record of how the ashes were gained, compiled by Mr. Twinem, was presented to "skipper" Woodfull at a reception in the Town Hall. (reference)