Joseph Timbers was born in 1851 in Binham and was the son of Samuel Peacock Timbers (1824) and Margaret Eke. In 1851 he was aged 3 months and living in Binham. On 24th October 1865 he was indentured as an apprentice in the Merchant Navy, in Yarmouth on the vessel “Prudence”. In 1871 he was on board the "Eliza”, moored at Lowestoft, and was listed as an apprentice.

Sources
• 1. 1851 Census. Binham. Joseph Timbers. Son. Age 3 months. Born Binham. • 2. 1871 Census. Ve”ssel Eliza", Lowestoft, Suffolk. Joseph Timbers. Apprentice. Unmarried. Age 20. Born Yarmouth. • 3. Apprentices Indentured in the Merchant Navy, 1824-1910. Joseph Eke Timbers. Age 15. Birth Year abt. 1850. Date: 24 Oct 1865. Port: Yarmouth. Vessel: Prudence.