TIMMINS, Walter

Walter Timmins was the third son of John and Maria Timmins who were living in 1901 at 12 Coventry Street, Stourbridge, and kept a fishmonger's and fruiterer's shop. By 1918 his home address was 49 Brettell Lane, Amblecote. He enlisted in the Warwicks and spent some time in the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion. He was then transferred to the 4th Royal Fusiliers. In 1918 this battalion was in the 3rd Division and experienced a total reversal of fortune. In March it bore the brunt of the German first Spring offensive and fell back in retreat over the old Somme battlefield. In August and September it enjoyed unbroken success in the Advance to Victory. It drove the enemy back in August in the battles of Albert and Bapaume and overcame the fortifications of the Hindenburg Line in late September. Private Walter Timmins was killed in the advance to the Line on the 18th September 1918. He was 26 years of age and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois, Stourbridge. Wollaston church and Methodist church Memorials. His brother, Arthur, was killed in October 1917 at Ypres.