5th Siege Company, Royal Engineers
Joseph William Hancox Timbrell was born in the third quarter of 1897 at Yorkley Wood and later he and his brother, Thomas were adopted by Maurice and Elizabeth Prout of Howbeach, Parkend, Gloucestershire.
On 14 May 1915 Joseph enlisted at Monmouth as a Sapper in the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers; he was 18 years old. At the time of his Attestation he was living in West Dean, Gloucestershire and was working as a Clerk. He was described as being 5 foot 8¾ inches with a fresh complexion with blue eyes and brown hair.
He was originally given the regimental number of 7606 which later became 387606.
After training Joseph entered the theatre of War on 17 December 1915.
Sapper Joseph William Hancox Timbrell died of influenza on 21 January 1919, aged 21. He was buried in Viney Hill (All Saints) churchyard and his grave is marked by a CWGC headstone.
His brother Thomas James Sheppard Timbrell was killed at Wallsend Colliery on 21 February 1913, age 17.
Research by Graham Adams 19 October 2011 (revised 10 April 2022) with some information taken from an article by Eric Nichols and Steve Cooper, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire Family History Society, published in Journal No 130 , Autumn 2011 of the Gloucestershire Family History Society