Actions

William Simpson

From Our Contribution

Revision as of 17:03, 24 February 2021 by Linton (talk | contribs)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
William Simpson
Unknown.png
Personal Information
Date of Birth unknown
"unknown" contains an extrinsic dash or other characters that are invalid for a date interpretation.
Place of Birth Aberdeen, Scotland
Death 13 Dec 1972
Place of Death Perth, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment 24 years old
Description 5'7" (1.70m) tall ; 148 lbs
67.132 kg
; ruddy complexion ; blue eyes ; brown hair
Occupation Blacksmith
Religion Presbyterian
Address Seventh road, Armadale, Western Australia
Next of Kin Wife , Mrs Grace Simpson
Military Information
Reg Number 1999
Date of Enlistment 6 Mar 1916
Rank Private
Unit/Formation 51st Battalion, 3rd Reinforcements / 13th Brigade, 4th Division
Date of Embarkation 20 Jul 1916 ‒ 9 Sep 1916
Ship Embarked On HMAT A48 Seang Bee
Date of Return 10 Sep 1917 ‒ unknown
"unknown" contains an extrinsic dash or other characters that are invalid for a date interpretation.
Ship Returned On HMAT A38 Ulysses
Fate Wounded in Action 11 Apr 1917 - 1st Bullecourt
Returned to Australia
Monument Armadale War Memorial (West Armadale panel)
Armadale and Districts Roll of Honour
Medals British War Medal
Victory Medal




Pre War

William married Grace Mary Weedon in 1915 (Canning district). Electoral Roll entries - 1916 - 1917 Grace Mary at 7th road, Armadale;

War Service

Enlisted in Kalgoorlie. Entering camp on 6 Mar 1916, he was allocated to the 3rd reinforcement draft for the 51st Battalion on 4 Apr 1916.

Proceeded overseas from England to France on the HMT Princess Victoria from Folkestone on 4 Dec 1916, and was taken on strength by the 51st Battalion on 23 Dec 1916 as it came out of the line at Flers.

On 11 Apr 1916, Bill was one of a number of local men involved in an action that was later to be known as 1st Bullecourt. The 51st Battalion was holding the front line to the right of Bullecourt itself. While the battalion's war diary doesn't make specific mention of activities that day, it does note that for the period they were in he line they lost 49 KIA and 200 WIA. Given they didn't participate in the attack itself, it is reasonable to assume that most were casualties from artillery bombardments.

Bill's wound was a shell wound to his right arm. After receiving early treatment from the 4th Field Ambulance and the 1st General Hospital in Etretat, France, Bill was evacuated to England on the HMHS Grantully Castle from Le Havre on 22 Apr 1917 and admitted to the Bath War Hospital.

Identified for early return to Australia, in late July at Monte Video camp in Weymouth, he was 2 days late returning from his post hospital furlough. Charged with being AWOL, he was confined to barracks for 4 days, with the loss of 3 days pay. Discharged on 3 May 1918 by the 5th Military District.

293rd Casualty List includes W Simpson (Armadale) as being wounded[1]

Post War

Electoral Roll entries - 1916 - 1917 Grace Mary at 7th road, Armadale; 1925 - 1926 at 12 Swansea street, Victoria Park, labourer ; Grace died on 28 Jul 1928 in Victoria Park.

Notes

  1. The West Australian 8 May 1917 p.5

External Links