TIMMINS, Paul Jerome
| Service Number: | 3891 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 7 September 1915, Armidale, NSW |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 20th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Wisemans Creek, Bathurst, New South Wales,Australia , 5 January 1895 |
| Home Town: | Aberdeen, Upper Hunter Shire, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Aberdeen Public School, Sydney High School |
| Occupation: | Bank Clerk |
| Died: | Natural causes, Lane Cove, New South Wales, Australia, 5 December 1954, aged 59 years |
| Cemetery: |
Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens and Crematorium, NSW Cremated |
| Memorials: | Bank of New South Wales Roll of Honour Book |
World War 1 Service
| 7 Sep 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3891, 20th Infantry Battalion, Armidale, NSW | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Jan 1916: | Embarked 3891, 20th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Runic, Sydney | |
| 20 Jan 1916: | Involvement 3891, 20th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '13' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Runic embarkation_ship_number: A54 public_note: '' | |
| 25 Jun 1916: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 3891, 20th Infantry Battalion, Bois-Grenier, GSW left arm | |
| 28 Oct 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 20th Infantry Battalion | |
| 6 Apr 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 20th Infantry Battalion | |
| 3 May 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 20th Infantry Battalion, Bullecourt (Second), Shrapnel wounds right elbow (olecranon) and left elbow (coronoid). | |
| 20 Jul 1917: | Honoured Military Cross, Bullecourt (Second), For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Bullecourt on 3 May 1917 in reorganising the Battalion under a heavy barrage, and although wounded, went forward with it beyond the enemy line, setting a splendid example of coolness and determination to all ranks. | |
| 16 Mar 1919: | Honoured Mention in Dispatches | |
| 22 Aug 1919: | Embarked AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 20th Infantry Battalion, HT Anchises, Devonport for return to Australia - arriving 13 October 1919. | |
| 5 Jan 1920: | Discharged AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 20th Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Michael Silver
The Gilgandra Weekly reported the death at his residence, 3 Kariola Street, Lane Cove, on 5 December 1954 of Paul Jerome Timmins, formerly on the staff of the Bank of N.S.W. at Gilgandra, for five years from 1920.
The late Mr. Timmins was a veteran of World War I, enlisting at Armidale, New South Wales in 1915 whilst working in the bank at Tamworth. Recognising his intellect and organisational ability, he was soon raised to the rank of Lieutenant and being appointed Intelligence Officer of the 20th Battalion. He was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry at Bullecourt in 1917. Paul Timmins was a prominent citizen whilst in Gilgandra, taking a most active part in the R.S.L. and the Golf Club, as well as being universally popular amongst all sections of the community.
He was born at Oberon, New South Wales in 1895, the youngest of two sons to John Timmins a school teacher and his wife Emma Louisa Mary Temple. Sadly his mother died from peritonitis when he was just 12 months old. He and his brother Vincent were raised by their father at Aberdeen in the Hunter Valley, with both to follow careers in the banking industry.
Paul Timmins married Miss Ruth Grosvenor Willis a Sydney lass, who was on the staff of Gilgandra solicitors Beveridge and Serisier, at Guildford in 1922. They were to have twins in 1923, but the boy and girl tragically died of gastroenteritis the following year.
Leaving Gilgandra in 1925, Paul Timmins moved with his wife and recently born son to Kempsey, before being appointed to the Inverell branch of the Bank of N.S.W. The couple were to have another two children and in 1930 he was assigned by the bank to the Sydney metropolitan area, residing at Manly, Bondi and latterly at Lane Cove.
During World War II he enlisted in the Volunteer Defence Corps, holding the rank of Captain.
As a senior member of the Bank of N.S.W.'s head office during the Bank Nationalisation Case in 1947/48, Paul Timmins was actively engaged in opposing the measure and toured all parts of the State. Ultimately, the High Court ruled that the Chifley government's legislation to nationalise all private banks was unconstitutional and on appeal the Privy Council upheld the High Court's decision.
Lieutenant Paul Jerome Timmins MC, late 20th Battalion A.I.F., leaves his widow Ruth and three children —Gordon, Willis and Anne.
References:
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page10770906
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page13058720
Biography contributed by Faithe Jones
PAUL JEROME TIMMINS was born on 5th January, 1895, at Bathurst, New South Wales, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Timmins. He was educated at the Sydney High School, and entered the Bank’s service at Armidale, in March, 1912, being transferred to Tamworth in October, 1914.
Paul Timmins enlisted in the A.I.F. on 19th August, 1915, and became a member of the 20th Battalion. He was promoted to second-lieutenant on 28th November, 1916, and to lieutenant on 6th April, 1917.
On 3rd May, 1917, Paul Jerome Timmins was in action near Riencourt when his bravery attracted attention and he was recommended for the Military Cross. The official recommendation is as follows:
“On 3rd May, 1917, near Riencourt, this officer, without care for self, re-organized his battalion under extremely heavy fire and, though wounded, led the battalion forward for a considerable distance beyond the enemy wire. He continued his duties for a considerable period and set a fine example to his men by his high soldierly qualities.”
Subsequently, he was mentioned in despatches after the proclamation of Peace.
Source - Bank of NSW Roll of Honour
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