Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Herbert Timbury was born in July 1878 in Frome, Somerset, England, where he spent his childhood before migrating to Adelaide. Until he enlisted in WW1 he worked as a cabinet maker. Herbert's parents were Jane Jarvis (1844 – 1907) and Arthur Timbury (1843 – 1924).

His next of kin was his wife, Charlotte Anne Starr (1875 - 1923) who lived in Wayville. Herbert had 4 children they included Charles Timbury (1900 – 1955), Alan Timbury (1911 to unknown), Dorothy Timbury (1899 – 2002) and Vera Timbury (1902 – 1956).

On the 8th of December in 1914, Herbert Timbury enlisted in Oaklands, South Australia, at the age of 35 years and 6 months. He was part of the 10th Infantry Battalion and 3rd Reinforcement with around 1,000 other men and was given the service number 1477. Before embarking to the Middle East the 10th Battalion completed a small amount of training in South Australia where the battalion was raised.

On the 9th of February 1915, Herbert Timbury embarked from Melbourne on the ship, HMAT Runic A54. The 10th battalion trained in Cairo at Mena camp, where troops camped and trained for the early months of 1915. On the 7th May 1915. 

After surviving 10 months of harsh environments and endless warfare, in December 1915, the ANZACs evacuated Gallipoli as the Ottoman Empire won the war. Timbury was hospitalised in January with impetigo, a bacterial infection of the skin. He rejoined his unit from hospital on 17th February 1916.

Timbury proceeded to join the British Expeditionary Froce leaving Alexandria 27th March 1916 and arrived at Marseilles on 3rd April. It is likely that he fought at Pozieres. The battle of Pozières lasted from July 23rd to September 3rd in 1916. The battle of Pozières was known for the relentless artillery fire, strategic importance and high casualties. The ANZACs executed strategy and tactics very well to help the Allied forces to a successful win in capturing and holding the Germans off the village. At Pozieres Timbury was promoated to Lance Corporal 1st September 1916.

Timbury continued to fight on the Western Front with the 10th Battalion. Another notable battle the 10th was involved with was the 3rd Battle of Ypres which lasted from July 31st to November 10th in 1917. The Battle of Ypres was one of the most horrific battles of World War I. The ANZAC’s role was to assist the British in attacking Germany and securing high ground in the countryside of Ypres. The battle was famous for its conditions of thick mud and waterlogged trenches. The ANZACs were successful in capturing land and completing some key objectives, but despite their efforts, the result of the battle was a stalemate.

On the 5th of January 1918, Timbury took leave in the UK until 23rd January when he rejoined his unit in the field. Soon after on the 29th January he was promoted to Corporal, and the next day Sergeant. Timbury retruned to Australian in December 1918 and was discharged from the AIF 14t April 1919.

There is little information about his life after the war. In 1923, Charlotte Anne Starr, Herbert's wife, passed away.. Herbert died in Australia on the 24th of April 1961 at 83 years of age. Herbert is now buried at West Terrace Cemetery (AIF Section), South Australia.

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