Military History

Harold is listed as dying of wounds on 2nd May 1918 in Calais. The Stratford Herald reported that was wounded in the abdoment during fighting near Ypres on 12th April 1918 and evacuated to the 30th General Hospital in Calais. The 2nd/7th Battalion war diary entry for the 12th April is transcribed below along with the Stratford Herald Article.

Calonne sur la Lys – 12.4.1918: Enemy fairly quiet until 6.10am when Coys stood to as he appeared to be breaking through on our right. Battalion remained in position & from information to hand it appeared that enemy had made an attack with strong patrols.

Battn HQ at junction of tracks at Q.8.b.1.9. By 10.30am all that remained of the 2^nd/6^th Warwicks withdrawn through our lines and were taking up a position in rear of us.

12.20pm line held by Battalion runs parallel to the road running NW through Q.14.a -14.c – 8c & 9a – with the exception of a few posts in 14.c nothing SE of that road was held by us.

Estimated Casualties: 1 Officer killed, 4 Officers wounded. Other ranks 73.

1 Prisoner gave himself up belonging to 2^nd Croats, Pioneer attached to 8^th Bav Division

Stratford Herald - Friday 10th May 1918
DIED OF WOUNDS PRIVATE HAROLD TIMMS

The sincere sympathy of many friends will be extended to the widow and little son of Private Harold Timms, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Timms of Shottery, who has yielded his life in his country’s cause. Joining the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in April 1917 he went through a period of training a Sandown, Isle of Wight and in July left for France. He was present at the great battle of Ypres on April 12th when he was wounded in the abdomen. After receiving attention on the spot he was removed to hospital at Calais where he succumbed to his injuries on May 2nd at the age of 29.

Private Timms was well known in this district and was generally respected. He was a member of the Congregational denomination and accomplished much good work as a local preacher.