Name
Bertram Charles Timson
18/01/1885
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
12/10/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
4034
East Surrey Regiment
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
POELCAPELLE BRITISH CEMETERY
LI. C. 13.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
He has no inscription on his Headstone
UK & Other Memorials
St Matthew’s Church Memorial, Oxhey, Oxhey War Memorial, Not on the St Stephens memorials
Pre War
Bertram Charles Timson was born in St Stephens, (St Albans), Herts, on 18th January 1885, he was the son of William Edward Timson, a Gardener and Maria Timson (nee Weedon). Baptised on 4th October 1885, at Holy Trinity, Frogmore, Herts. One of seven children.
His parents married 30 May 1868 at Holy Trinity, Frogmore, Herts. Maria died 1905 in Bricket Wood, Herts, aged 56, and was buried 28 October at Holy Trinity, Frogmore; William died 1910 in the St Alban’s, Herts, district aged 69.
1891 Census records Bertram aged 6, at school, living with his parents and five siblings in Snug Oak, St Stephens, St Albans, Herts.
1901 Census records the family still living in Snug Oak, Bertram aged 16, and working as a Gardener, still living with parents and five siblings.
In 1905 his mother Maria died, and in 1910 is father died.
1911, Bertram was 26, both his parents had died, he was now living at 75 Grover Road, Oxhey, with his sister, Louisa, and her husband Daniel Walden and their two daughters. Bertram was employed as a car man for a building firm. Their youngest brother Frederick was also living with them.
Officially recorded as born in Watford and enlisted there, however it is believed that the birthplace recorded is incorrect and that it was St Stephens.
Wartime Service
Bertram enlisted in Watford, posted to the East Surrey Regiment, with the service number 4034. Serving with the 8th Battalion. He embarked for France on 25th August 1915, serving in France and Flanders. He was killed in Action on 12 October 1917, aged 32.
He is remembered with honour at Poelcapelle British Cemetery in Belgium and is commemorated on the Memorial at St Matthew’s Church, Oxhey.
Additional Information
There is a Death announcement for Bertram in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 3 November 1917; plus an In Memoriam in the issue dated 11 October 1919. Additional Information’ provided with kind permission of Bushey First World War Commemoration Project – Please visit www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild, Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH online via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
