William Norman Simpson

Ship/Rgn/Sqn No:16th Entrenching Coy
Name of Rgt or Ship:Kings Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry)
Died:31/03/1918Age:24
How Died:Killed in Action
Country of burial:FranceGrave Photo:No
Cemetery or Memorial:Chauny Communal Cemetery British Extension
Town Memorial:Not Listed
Extra Information:
Born on the 25th October 1893, the birth being registered during the
December quarter 1893 in the Chorlton R.D. - ref: 8c/930, the son of
William Robert & Annie Simpson (nee Hill).

1901 Census - 12 Bishop Street, Moss Side, Manchester.   Son - aged: 7 -
born: Manchester.    Head of household - William R. Simpson - Married -
aged: 48 - occ: Minister in Catholic Apostolic - born: Scotland.   Also -
Annie Simpson - Wife - aged: 42 - born; Whitehaven, Cumberland.  Plus 5
siblings, including Jame Harper who was also killed during WW1.

1911 Census - 15 Belmont Street, Huddersfield, Yorkshire.  Son - aged: 17 -
Scholar - born: Lancaster.   Head of household - William R. Simpson -
Married - aged: 58 - occ: Minister of the Catholic Apostolic Church - born:
Scotland.   Also - Annie Simpson - Wife - aged: 52 - born; Whitehaven,
Cumberland.  Plus 5 siblings, including James Norman who was also killed
during WW1.

WO339/54177 - Originally served in the 1/5th Battalion, Duke of
Wellington's Rgt. from the 24th September 1914.   Applied for a Temporary
Commission with the 3rd Battalion, King's Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry) on
the 10th September 1915.    His address then was 13 Farrington Place, North
Road, Plymouth.   Commission awarded into the 11th (Reserve) Battalion,
Yorkshire Light Infantry on the 28th January 1916.  He was then instructed
to report to the Dublin University Officer Training Corps at Dublin.   He
was wounded near to Fricourt on the 1st July 1916.  Returned to England via
Calais and Dover on the Hospital Ship H.S. Brighton on the 7th July. 
Admitted to the Royal Herbert Hospital, Woolwich on the 8th July 1916
suffering from a G.S.W. (Gun Shot Wound) to his right arm, sustaining a
fracture to his right humerous bone.  Declared unfit for service for 6
weeks and granted leave until the 20th September 1916.  After one medical
examination held on the 1st December 1916, it was reported that he was well
enough for light duties at Home.   He attended another Medical Board
examination on the 8th January 1917 that stated that his wounds have healed
- no trouble, but that he is very anaemic and is nervous.

Commemorated on the private family gravestone in Stretford Cem.

His father William Robert died 24/10/1926 aged 73 and his mother Annie died
07/08/1931 aged 72.

His brother John Harper Simpson was also killed in action during WW1.

Unfortunately all the names on this memorial can no longer be read.  When
the Church was demolished, the Church Authorities made the mistake of
mounting this Memorial in the churchyard.  It was made of soft stone and
was only ever meant to be mounted indoors; consequently all the names have
now eroded away.

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