TIMMINS, Arthur

Arthur Timmins was the youngest son of John and Maria Timmins who in 1901 lived at 12 Coventry Street, Stourbridge, and kept a fishmonger's and fruiterer's shop. He was also a member of the New Road United Methodists. By 1914 the family had moved to 53 King Street, Wollaston, and Arthur Timmins worked on munitions in Birmingham. He then volunteered for the Territorials and joined the 1/7th Battalion of the Worcesters on the Western Front in 1915. He was wounded at some point, probably during their costly fighting on the Somme, and returned to the front line in the Summer of 1917. In September the Worcesters came up to the front line for the Third Battle of Ypres and were in the front line for the Battle of Poelcapelle which opened on the 9th October. The troops attacked some fortified farm houses in heavy rain and mud but there were many casualties. Lance Corporal Arthur Timmins was hit by a shell in a dug-out and was killed in action. He was 22 years of age and his name is commemorated on the Tyne Cot, Stourbridge, Wollaston church and Methodist church Memorials. His brother, Walter, was killed in action in 1918.