Sep 10, 1891

Born in Barking, England to Richard and Mary (nee Williams) Timms

Apr 6, 1902

Martin Henry Timms disembarked the SS Dominion in Portland, Maine, USA under the care of the Dr. Barnardo’s Boys Home and proceeded to Toronto, Ontario

He was later employed as a domestic with the FW Balls Family, Sunbury, Ontario, north of Kingston

May 24, 1911

Married to Ida May Jackson in Kingston, Ontario

May 17, 1912

Volunteered in the 14^th Regiment Princess of Wales’ Own Rifles, number 1578, with the rank of Private in “F” Company

Jan 6, 1915

Attested into the 39^th Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59985 (temporary number 1299)

Ø  Next of kin given as Ida May Timms, wife, 28 Johnson St., Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

o   Later noted as Farmer

Ø  Previous military experience given as 2 years in the 14^th Regiment Princess of Wales’ Own Rifles

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

The service number was not filled in until his transfer to the 21^st Battalion

On attesting he gave his birth date as September 8, 1890, not his actual birth date of September 10, 1891

The 21^st Battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area through the winter of 1914-15.

Mar 25, 1915

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion in Kingston from the 39^th Battalion and posted to the Headquarters Company and employed as the Batman to the Commanding Officer.  He served in that capacity with all of the COs of the battalion

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

Mar 3, 1917

Admitted to the No. 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads PUO (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin), often referred to as Trench Fever

Mar 5, 1917

Transferred to the 2^nd Division Rest Station at the No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance

Mar 8, 1917

Transferred back to the No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance

Mar 14, 1917

Transferred to the No. 22 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Mar 20, 1917

Transferred via the No. 18 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 7 Canadian General Hospital in Etaples, France

Apr 4, 1917

Transferred to the No. 6 Convalescent Depot in Etaples

Apr 6, 1917

Transferred to the No. 5 Convalescent Depot

Jun 28, 1917

Discharged to the Base Depot in Etaples

Jun 29, 1917

Transferred to the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples

Jul 20, 1917

After leaving the base depot, he joined the 2^nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in Hersin, France

Aug 22, 1917

After leaving the entrenching battalion, Private Timms rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in Villers au Bois, France

Dec 13, 1917

Granted 14 days leave

Dec 29, 1917

Rejoined the battalion resting in Auchy au Bois, France from leave

Nov 11, 1918

The 21^st Battalion halted their advance in Norchain, Belgium with headquarters in a chateau in the village.  At 8:40 am the notice of the Armistice was received by Private Timms from a messenger and he passed it on to the Commanding Officer, L/Col Pense DSO, MC, who in turn announced the cease of hostilities to the troops

Dec 13, 1918

The 21^st Battalion led the 2^nd Division across the Bonn Bridge to enter Germany as part of the Occupying Force

Mar 7, 1919

Admitted to the No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads Influenza

Mar 13, 1919

Discharged to duty and rejoined the 21^st Battalion in Ham sur Sambre, Belgium

Apr 3, 1919

Embarked the Western Australia in Havre

On arrival in England, the battalion proceeded to Witley where he was attached to “P” Wing pending return to Canada

Apr 5, 1919

Medical exam in Witley notes

Ø  Man suffers from Arthritis due to exposure in the trenches

Ø  Has pain in hands, arms, shoulders and feet

Ø  Some swelling in feet

Ø  Man claims symptoms began after having trench fever in 1917

May 13, 1919

Embarked the SS Caronia in Liverpool

May 22, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario by train

May 26, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 277569

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 72 Brock St., Kingston, Ontario

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 72 Brock St., Kingston, Ontario

In 1926, Martin Timms was employed with the Daily British Whig in Kingston as a Pressman.  He retired from that position in February, 1950.  Both Martin and his wife Ida, were long time members of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 560 in Kingston.

Dec 4, 1971

Martin Henry Timms died at home in Kingston, Ontario and was buried in the Cataraqui Cemetery in Kingston