James Archer Timpson (Samuels) 1899 - 1918

James Archer Samuels was born on the 23rd of May 1899 in Richmond, Surrey. James was the eldest child of Edith Samuels aged 19 and his father was James Archer. James was baptised on the 5th July 1899 at St. John's in Richmond, and on James's baptism record, his father's name is crossed out, while on his birth certificate no name is entered.

I cannot find James in the 1901 census, but his mother Edith Samuels is recorded in the census living with her mother Mary Ann at 23 Alton Road, Richmond. In 1905 James's mother Edith married Albert Edward Timpson, and when James was 14 years old, he started using his step-fathers surname Timpson.

In the 1911 census James aged 11, was attending school and living at 21A Chilton Road, Richmond, Surrey, with Mother Edith, Step-father Albert and 2 half siblings, Edith Annie aged 4 and Rose aged 2. Grandmother Mary Ann Samuels (nee Hughes) aged 65 was also living with the family. A 3rd half sibling completed James's family, with Gladys being born late 1911.

With the declaration of war in August 1914, James Archer Timpson was only aged 15 years, so was too young to serve but step-father Albert enlisted, as he had previously served as a Royal Marine, during the Boxer Rebellion in China. James's step-father however was found unfit due to defective teeth.

Great War Service

On the 5th of March 1917, James Archer Timpson attested into the Army at the East Surrey Regiments depot at Kingston on Thames and signed up for service with the East Yorkshire Regiment. James gave his correct age, 17 years and 10 months. He gave his occupation as a Fitter's Mate.

Badge of The East Yorkshire Regiment

On the 6th of March James was posted to the Army Reserve until the 7th of June 1917 when he was called up for service after turning 18 years of age in May 1917, joining the 9th Training Brigade. James was given Regimental No: 10249 and Rank: Private.

Training Brigade

James continued his training with the 9th Training Brigade, which was based in Scotland, until the 18th of August 1917 when he transferred to the 1st Training Brigade, which was based at Rugeley in Staffordshire.

On the 1st of December 1917, Private James Timpson transferred to the West Riding Regiment, and on the 6th of February 1918 transferred to the 3rd Battalion, based in North Shields for duty with the Tyne Garrison.

The industrial area's of Tyneside and Wearside were among the most defended area's of the country owing to the concentration of many factories and installations, including 12 armaments factories in Tyne and Wear. Private James Timpson continued his duty with the Garrison, and on the 28th of March 1918, was declared fit to serve overseas.

British Expeditionary Force 1918

The German Spring Offensive, Operation Michael, begun on the 21st of March 1918 and was series of German attacks, made along the Western Front in the spring of 1918 and made the deepest advances by either side since 1914. The German objective was to advance and capture the Channel ports, and any gains they made, were hindered by a lack of reinforcements and supplies keeping up with the advance. The attacks petered out by the end of April, and although the Germans captured ground, it was not strategically significant, and the danger of a German breakthrough passed.

The German Spring Offensive 1918

Private James Archer Timpson arrived at the 3/6th Base Depot in France on the 31st of March 1918 and from here he was transferred to the 11th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, under the orders of the 91st Brigade in the 31st Division, on the 2nd of April 1918, and was given a new Regimental No. 30475.

The 11th Battalion war diary shows that they received a draft of 209 Other Ranks on the 5th of April 1918 from the village of Pernes, which was most likely when James joined the 11th Battalion.

11th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment 1918

In early April 1918 the 11th Battalion were billeted at the village of La Thieuloye, in the Pas-de-Calais department of northern France, where on the 6th of April the Battalion was inspected by the Divisional Commander and the draft recently arrived, was inspected by the Battalion Commanding Officer. The Regimental Band played at XVIII Army H.Q. All the Officers were invited to tea, in the grounds of the Chateau Bryas, while the village schoolhouse was opened for the Other Ranks as a place for reading and writing.

On the 7th of April a proposed Rifle and Revolver shooting competition was postponed due the weather being bad, while on the 8th, the day was spent reorganising the Battalion's Companies and holding football matches. On the 9th of April reorganisation continued, with a further draft of 5 Officers and 105 Other Ranks joining the Battalion.

On the 10th of April Battalion Ceremonial Drill was held at 9.30am by the C.O, who the inspected the latest draft of men to arrive at 10.am. At 3.40pm orders were received for the Battalion to move by bus on the Brias - Dieval Road at 4.30pm and the men immediately packed all the kit and were on the road north by 6.pm. The Battalion Transport section followed by route march.

The Battalion debussed at the Vieux Berguin at 1.30am on the 11th of April, with the Battalion Commanding Officer moving immediately to Divisional H.Q for the Battalions next orders. The 11th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment moved again at 3.am, to the vicinity of Trois Fermes, about 3 miles from the Belgium border.

'Backs To The Walls' April 1918

The Battle of Lys had begun on the 7th of April 1918, the second German attack, Operation Georgette, with the aim of capturing Ypres and pushing through to the Channel coast. The opening battle saw the Portuguese Army suffer over 7,000 casualties and by the 10th of April 1918, the Germans had captured Messines. The 25th Division to the south were flanked on both sides and had to withdraw. The British situation on the 11th of April was desperate and it was on this day that Field Marshall Douglas Haig made his famous 'Backs to the Wall' order.

'To All Ranks of The British Army In France and Flanders

' Three weeks ago to-day the enemy began his terrific attacks against us on a fifty-mile front. His objects are to separate us from the French, to take the Channel Ports and destroy the British Army.

In spite of throwing already 106 Divisions into the battle and enduring the most reckless sacrifice of human life, he has as yet made little progress towards his goals.

We owe this to the determined fighting and self-sacrifice of our troops. Words fail me to express the admiration which I feel for the splendid resistance offered by all ranks of our Army under the most trying circumstances.

Many amongst us now are tired. To those I would say that Victory will belong to the side which holds out the longest. The French Army is moving rapidly and in great force to our support.

There is no other course open to us but to fight it out. Every position must be held to the last man: there must be no retirement. With our backs to the wall and believing in the justice of our cause each one of us must fight on to the end. The safety of our homes and the Freedom of mankind alike depend upon the conduct of each one of us at this critical moment'.

(Signed) D. Haig F.M.

Commander-in-Chief

British Armies in France

General Headquarters

Tuesday, April 11th, 1918

At about noon on the 11th of April 1918 orders were received and in accordance with these, the 11th Battalion took up a position east of Le Verrier and begun to dig in. At about 3.pm when the positions had been completed Lieutenant Colonel C.H. Gurney, D.S.O, returned to the Transport lines to form a Composite Battalion from Brigade details, and handing over the Command of the 11th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment to Major Shaw at about 6.30pm.

Units of the Division on the Right of the line, reported heavy pressure on their front and that they were withdrawing. 'I' Company from the 11th Battalion was despatched to assist in forming a defensive flank.

Battle Of Hazebrouck April 1918

The German Sixth Army resumed it's attack in the south as part of the Spring Offensive on the 12th of April 1918. The attack was towards the important supply centre of Hazebrouck. The German advance some 3 miles and captured Merville, Nord. The German advance was stopped on the 13th.

At 2.am on the 12th of April 1918, in accordance with orders, the 11th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment took up a line between Ferme du Bois and Pont Yymeau, relieving units from the 119th and 120th Infantry Brigades.

Battle of Lys 1918

Heavy fighting commenced early and at about 10.am troops on the right were seen to withdraw, and immediately afterwards, the 93rd Infantry Brigade on the left reported that they were heavily engaged. It soon became evident that an attack on a large scale was developing, and that both flanks of the 11th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment were exposed. Orders were received for the 11th Battalion to withdraw to a line between the village of Outtersteene and the Vieux Berquin Road. Contact with the units on the flanks of the 11th Battalion could not be established, so the 11th Battalion moved again forming a line from F.16 Central to Road Junction F.17.C.

During the 11th Battalions withdrawal, the Germans had pressed the attack closely, but though they failed to disorganise the operation, they succeeded to cut off several parties of men to such an extent, that they could only escape to the flanks and attach themselves to other units.

In the meantime the 92nd Details Battalion and H.Q, with 'N' Coy had been organised by Lieutenant Colonel Gurney, and had taken up a line outside of the village of Merris. The remains of the 11th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment withdraw to this line, and once more came under the orders of Lieutenant Colonel Gurney.

The work of consolidating the line was commenced at once, with support from the 211th and 223rd Field Companies, Royal Engineers. Contact was gained with the units on the flanks and outposts established in front of Merris, with troops from the 92nd Details Battalion.

During the fighting on the 12th of April 1918, Private James Archer Timpson, aged 18 years, was declared Missing In Action, and for Official purposes was deemed to have died on this date. His mother, who was his next of kin was informed on the 27th of September 1918.

In James's Army Service Records, is a faded letter from his mother Edith, asking for any news about her son.

Ploegsteert Memorial

Private James Archer Timpson was entitled to the British War and Victory Medals, and these were sent to his mother in May 1920.

Private James Archer Timpson's body was never identified or was never recovered for burial, and he is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Panel 4, in Hainaut, Belgium and on the war memorial in Richmond, London.

James Archer Timpson is my 2nd Cousin 3x removed from my Nan's (Samuels) family.

Lest We Forget.

Lee Thomas

August 2013