Matthew Timbers was born in 1860 in Scottow and was the son of John Timbers (1838) and Mary Buck. In 1861 he was living in Sco Ruston. In 1871 he was living in Common Lane, Tunstead. In 1881 he was working as railway engine cleaner, and was living at 2 Topham Terrace, Tower Hamlets Road, West Ham.