Looking for a fresh pair of eyes on finding info about my great grandfather

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Service Papers

Short Service Papers (WW1), signed up in Aylesbury on 15 December 1914.
Name given: Joseph Twigg-Balmer (also listed Joseph T Balmer)
Aged 32, year of birth 1882
Born: Cumberland
Occupation: Mining Engineer
Yorkshire Regiment – No: 19182
Address: c/o China Association, 99 Cannon Street, EC. 
British subject, not married
NOK: James Twigg-Balmer, brother living at Merriman Street, De Beers, Kimberley (I believe there is a number listed but cannot read properly – could be 21 or 25?).
Papers are damaged by fire.
Height: 5ft 8 3/4in
Weight: 146
Chest: 26 ½
Signed up in Aylesbury on 14th/15th December 1914.
Never served in any branch of his majesty's forces or military before.
Deserted: 3rd August 1915
I did find another reference to a another service number: 17652

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Family

My Grandmother was Kathleen Betty Twigg-Balmer (1b 172), born in Islington 23 January 1919.  Joseph is listed as the father and Elizabeth as the mother (as Elizabeth Twigg-Balmer).  She was still officially married Victor until 1922. Elizabeth is listed as formerly Elizabeth Dunsdon. Birth listed as at 6 Fairmead Road. Father’s occupation Mining Engineer of West Lodge, Barnsbury Square, Islington.

In 1923 Elizabeth married (1b 653) Henry Thomas Brent (1d 95). The certificate states Elizabeth as a widow and formerly Elizabeth Twigg Balmer.

His brother James Twigg-Balmer died aged 49, in 1921 in Rangoon, Bengal, India.  He is listed as a Mining Captain.  I have only recently discovered this fact and as yet have no idea what James was doing in India.  There is no next of kin information on his death record.  He died of heart disease.

Name: James Twigg-Balmer
Gender: Male
Burial Date: 08 Jul 1921
Burial Place: Rangoon, Bengal, India
Death Date: 07 Jul 1921
Age: 49
Birth Date: 1872
Marital Status: Unknown
Cause of death: Heart Disease
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: B75051-1
System Origin: India-EASy
GS Film number: 527928

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Travel

Located on Passenger lists:  although this could be James rather than Joseph. Although the address listed corresponds with that of Joseph and Elizabeth. Given the ages quoted this means his birth year is 1872.

25 June 1904, Southampton - > Cape
Ship: Durham Castle
Mr J Twigg-Balmer (1880, Fitter)
Mrs J Twigg-Balmer (1883)

UK, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960
Name: Mr J T Balmer
Gender: Male
Age: 44
Birth Date: abt 1873
Departure Date: 3 Jan 1917
Port of Departure: Liverpool, England
Destination Port: Iddo, Nigeria
Ship Name: Burutu

UK Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960
Name: Balmer Joseph Twigg
Birth Date: abt 1872
Age: 45
Port of Departure: Africa
Arrival Date: 20 Nov 1917
Port of Arrival: Liverpool, England
Ports of Voyage: Lagos [Accra]
Ship Name: Akabo
Shipping Line: Elder Dempster Lines Ltd
Official Number: 115268
mining engineer, address in London

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Deaths

Elizabeth's marriage certificate to Henry T Brent states she was a widow. However it's doubtful she could have married Joseph as her marriage to Victor Weeden wasn't dissolved until 1922. So Joseph could possibly have died between 1919 (after Kathleen was born as he is listed on her birth certificate) and before Elizabeth's marriage to Henry T Brent at the end of 1923.

The only plausible death I've looked into so far is Joseph Balmer, age 50 who dies in Southwark in Q Jun 1921. However on purchasing this certificate it lists him as a paperhanger. He is married to an Elizabeth nee Ring and resides at 26 Fair Street.

Could Joseph have simply returned overseas and Elizabeth wanted to save face (as she was already divorced)? Or did Joseph perhaps die overseas.

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Unconfirmed possibilities

1901 census - Twigg, Joseph
1st Battalion Irish Guards, Chelsea Barracks SW
Single, age 22 (1879)
Private soldier
Born Kimberley, South Africa

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Work

There is a mention of his name here ( http://www.google.co.uk/search?tbm=bks&hl=en&q=joseph+twigg+balmer&btnG=) in the Quarterly Returns of Trade (page 309) of 1913.

He is mentioned in this book Getting Stuck in for Shangai

https://robertbickers.net/books/getting-stuck-in-for-shanghai/the-suwa-maru-contingent/

Joseph Twigg-Balmer
Chinese Maritime Customs   10th Bn. 19th Yorkshire Regt.
Deserted 3-8-1915

J Twigg Balmer
First appointment: Nov 1913
Position: Watcher
Date withdrew: Oct 1914
Position on withdrawal: Third Class Tidewaiter
Port on withdrawal: Lappa
Mode of withdrawal: Resigned
Staff group: British

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Census and Electoral Information

Elizabeth is apparently living at 4 North Street, Walton in 1920, this is listed on the electoral roll. She is named as Elizabeth Twigg-Balmer.

In 1921 Elizabeth Twigg Balmer can be found as a visitor at Saville Street, Brunswick House, Walton on Naze with Anthony Twigg Balmer and Kathleen Twigg Balmer. They are staying with Mr Chandler, his family and other guests. Elizabeth as listed as married.

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Additional Information (hearsay)

Elizabeth’s daughter in law recalls a conversation with Elizabeth where she admitted having an affair with a New Zelander deserter. She said that Victor threw her out and subsequently Henry T Brent looked after her.

Apparently Henry T Brent may have known Joseph and promised to look after Elizabeth.

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Research into possible family??

There is a Joseph Twigg that matches my Joseph on year of birth (1882) and place (Cumberland) according to his Service Papers and having a brother James.  This is Joseph Twigg 10b 606.

I have a fair amount of information on this Joseph Twigg – I have his birth certificate, I know his parents details (William Twigg and Mary Sarah Sloan) and his siblings (both those born in UK and South Africa from both of his father’s marriages).  Majority of the family moved from Cumberland to South Africa.  His parents were originally from Ireland.  I don’t believe that Joseph appears on any of the census, as I believe the family left for South Africa before 1891.  I do however have his parents and siblings on various census (before his birth, those that hadn’t moved to South Africa and those visiting from South Africa).

I have worked with a researcher in SA to obtain documents for this family. Joseph Twigg’s parents William Twigg and Mary Sarah Sloan both died in South Africa.  Mary in 1900 and William in 1903.  I have their deceased papers and final account/estate papers from South Africa, but these do not shed any light on a ‘Balmer’ link.

*Sadly I'm not convinced this is the correct family as I have located a descendant of this family and our DNA doesn't show as a match.