Name
Robert Tims
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
23/12/1917
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
591917
London Regiment (London Irish Rifles)
2nd/18th (County of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
JERUSALEM WAR CEMETERY
T. 26.
Israel and Palestine (including Gaza)
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield In Memoriam Book, Lemsford Village Memorial, Not on the Hertford memorials
Pre War
Robert was the son of Robert J and Betsy born around 1892 in Lemsford, Herts.
The family has not been found in the 1891 census, but Robert’s father was a watercress grower Hatfield in 1881 (before Robert junior was born), present were his wife Betsy and 4 older siblings: Sarah A. 3, Harriet 2, George William 1 and an aunt, Ellen M.
Robert’s father died on 3rd June 1892
By 1901 Robert (junior) was 8 in Lemsford, is living with his widowed mother and five siblings: Sarah and Harriet were not present, George was, and now there were four more older siblings: Arthur John 19, Charles Edward Tims 16, Florence Emily 12, Ethel May (10) and of course Robert. Their mother Betsy was working as a water cress grower.
In 1911 Robert was living at Little Barford House, St Neots, Huntingdonshire and working as a Hall Boy. His mother was visiting a family in Cromer, near Stevenage, Herts. This revealed that one of her nine children and died.
Officially recorded as born in Hertford and was living in Kensington Palace Gardens when he enlisted in Chelsea.
Wartime Service
Robert became Rifleman 591917 18th (County of London) Battalion (London Irish Rifles) London Regiment.
The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of April 1917, recorded under ‘Lemsford News’ – “Mrs Tims has heard from her son Robert, who has arrived safely in Salonika”. in February 1918: “Lemsford News, Once more with great regret, we have to record bad news of one of our Lemsford soldiers, Rifleman Robert Tims of the 2/18th London Irish Rifles, having lost his life in action in Palestine on December 23rd . He was the youngest son of a large family and much sympathy is felt for his mother, especially as it was some time since she had seen him, owing to his being so far away from home.” and then in March 1918: “Lemsford News, On Sunday evening Feb 17th a memorial service was held in the parish church for Private Robert Tims, Killed in Action on December 23rd. Many of his relations and friends were present, all anxious to show their sympathy with those who mourn his loss. A wreath of evergreen and snowdrops was placed around the “Roll of Honour”, which hangs just inside by Mrs John Sears.”
Awarded the British War Medal & Victory Medal.
Robert is also on the Irish War casualties list.
Biography
Son of Mrs. R. Tims, of Lemsford, Hatfield, Herts.
Additional Information
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mrs R. Timms (Mother) no address given, received an “In Memoriam and Roll of Honour Album”.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk).
