Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Gordon Stanley Timmins was born on the 7th of September 1890 at Midkin Station, Moree, New South Wales, Australia. He was the ninth child and third son of William Timmins and Elizabeth Garner ('nee Ingham) Timmins. At the time of his birth, his father was a Stockman on Midkin Station, Moree NSW, Australia.

Gordon took the oath to serve King and country in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on the 29th of January 1917 and was the fifth child of the Timmins family to enlist. His brothers Herbert, Norman and Martin and sister Ilma were already serving in the AIF. Gordon's brother Herbert had lost his life on the 19th of October 1915 at Gallipoli.

Gordon was 26 years 4 mths old when he joined up. he was 5 feet 9 and a half inches tall, weighed 154lbs was of dark complexion, had brown eyes, and dark hair.

On the 31st of January 1917, Gordon Stanley Timmins was appointed to the 1st Depot Battalion, 24th Reinforcement at Liverpool, Sydney NSW, Australia. He embarked from Sydney on the 10th February 1917,  per RMS Osterley disembarking at Plymouth, England on the 11th of April 1917, and marched into the 1st Training Battalion at Durrington AFB 213. On the 28th of April 1917, he was taken on strength and transferred to the 62nd Battalion at Windmill Hill, Perham Downs. On the 31st of May 1917, he marched into H & D Dep Perham Downs and on the 4th of June 1917 he marched out to “A” group at Larkhill. These places were "Training Camps" where troops were taught how to dig trenches, tunnels and use live ammunition before heading overseas to fight.

He proceeded overseas to France on the 31st of August 1917 arriving in Harve from the 1st Australian Divisional Base Depot (ADBD). He was taken on strength in France by the Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion on the 11th of September 1917.

It was just over three weeks later that on the 4th of October 1917 he was reported as wounded. He received a gunshot wound to the arm, shoulder, and eye. He was admitted to the casualty clearing station and taken from the 3rd Field Ambulance. On the 5th of October 1917, he was received from 17th Casualty Clearing Station and admitted to A.T. 36 France. The following day, the 6th of October 1917 he was admitted to the 11th Stationary Hospital in Rouen. Two weeks later on the 24th of October 1917, he embarked for England. Arriving on the 26th of October 1917 he was then admitted to the 3rd South General Hospital at Oxford.

The medical report in his military file states that his injury occurred whilst he was on duty, in the field, in action at Ypres on the 4th of October 1917.

A wire was received on the 25th October 1917 by Private Gordon Timmins’ mother as next of kin and she was advised: - “Dear Madam, I regret to advise you that Private G.S. Timmins 1st Battalion has been reported wounded.”

On the 8th of November 1917, his mother again received notice: “Now reported Private Gordon Timmins admitted Third Southern General Hospital Oxford England twenty-sixth October gunshot wound left arm shoulder severe.”

Wires were also sent on the 8th of Dec 1917 which read: - “Private Gordon Timmins improving.” and a few months later on the 30th March 1918 advising “Condition Private Gordon Timmins still improving.”

On the 15th of March 1918, he was transferred to the 3rd Auxilary Hospital at Dartford awaiting his return to Australia. The report from the Consultant’s Revision Slip signed by Lt. Col. B.M. Sutherland on the 4th of April 1918 remarked that Private Gordon Stanley Timmins from the 1st Battalion had shell wounds right and left arm. Compound fracture left humerus and loss of third of bone. Compound fracture of right humerus involving shoulder joint. Traumatic cataract right. Certified for hospital ship.

His mother received another wire on the 12th of April 1918 clarifying the extent of her son's injuries. It read: “Dear Madam, I now beg with reference to the report contained in my wire of the 8th Nov last, concerning Private G.S. Timmins cable advise to be at hand that his disability should have read, gunshot wound left shoulder, compound fracture humerus, gunshot wound right shoulder partial excision humerus, blind right eye.”

Private Gordon Stanley Timmins returned to Australia on the 28th of May 1918 per "H.M.A.T. Karoola". He was discharged from the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in consequence of medical unfitness on the 26th of November 1918. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his war service on the Western Front.

Gordon Stanley Timmins never married. He passed away on the 2nd of August 1925 at Fairview Private Hospital, Moree, New South Wales, Australia. He was buried on the 3rd of August 1925 in the Church of England section of the Moree Cemetery.

Obituary Notice
MR. G.S. TIMMINS.
A returned soldier, in the person of Mr. Gordon Stanley Timmins, third son of Mrs. W. Timmins, of Lowlands, passed away at Fairview Hospital on Sunday evening. The deceased, who was 34 years of age, was well and favorably known throughout the district. He enlisted on the 9th of February 1917, being attached to the Machine Gun Section. On October 4, 1917, he was wounded at Polygon Wood (France), being blinded in one eye and hurt in the chest and arms. He returned from the front in 1918. As the years passed he developed Bright's disease, and some two months ago entered the hospital at Mitchell (Q.), where he was an inmate for six weeks. About a fortnight ago he was brought to Fairview Hospital, Moree, where he passed away as stated above. The deceased for years past had suffered considerably but was always cheerful. He was a lover of horses, and was known as a fearless rider and also as a trainer of racehorses. The late Mr. Timmins was born at Midkin and spent the whole of his life in the Moree district. His mother, four brothers, and seven sisters survive him, the brothers being Messrs. W. E. Timmins, Martin J. Timmins, Norman Leslie Timmins (Mitchell, Q.), and C. R. Timmins (Moree), and the sisters Mesdames A. W. Thompson (Gingham, Moree), A. Greer (Belmont, Moree), D. Lloyd (Bankstown, Sydney), J. Parry (Bronte, Avondale), R. Cochran (Mitchell, Q.), and Nurses Ilma May and Rene (Women's Hospital, Ryde). Four of Mrs. Timmins' sons and one daughter volunteered for active service, one son (Herbert) being killed at Gallipoli. The funeral took place this afternoon, a large number of returned soldiers paying their last respects to an old comrade. The remains were interred in the church of England portion of the cemetery, the Rev. A. W. Coates administering the last sad rites. The cortege was a large one, friends from all parts of the district being present. We extend our sympathy to Mrs. Timmins and family. Messrs. Logan and Co. carried out the funeral arrangements.

Source Material

NSW Birth Certificate Gordon Stanley Timmins 22385/1890
Service Record of Gordon Stanley Timmins, B2455, National Archives of Australia.
Following the Twenty-Second - https://anzac-22nd-battalion.com/training-camps-england/
NSW Death Certificate Gordon Stanley Timmins 15626/1925
TROVE - https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/111744920