Pioneer Sergeant Vivian TIMMS
No. 5586. 1st Oxfordshire Light Infantry
British Army
No. 2005391. 6th and 143rd Battalion
Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF)
Vivian Richard TIMMS was born on May 7, 1878, in the Parish of Toronto, near the Town of Toronto, in the County of York (Dominion of Canada).
On November 23, 1897, Pvt. TIMMS enlisted in the Oxfordshire Light Infantry, United Kingdom.
In 1898, he served 52 days in military detention for stealing the property of an Officer. One year later, Pvt. TIMMS was promoted to Pioneer Sergeant.
Between 1899 – 1902, he served in the South African 2nd (Boer) War where he fought in the battles of ‘Paardeberg’ and ‘Leliefontein’.
In 1902, Pioneer Sgt. TIMMS was honourably discharged and awarded the Kings South Africa Medal and Clasps.
On June 26, 1916, Pte. TIMMS enlisted in the 143rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Engineers, CEF, where he served in France.
On December 23, 1916, he was charged for ‘desertion’ and punished with loss of pay and reduction in rank.
On February 29, 1919, he was honourably discharged and returned to Langley Prairie, BC. He became a prominent artist in Vancouver, BC.
Vivian TIMMS died on August 15, 1956. He is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Burnaby, BC.
