Name
Arthur Ansell Simmonds
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
31/08/1918
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Driver
24406
Royal Field Artillery
"C" Battery, 93rd Brigade
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
DOUCHY-LES-AYETTE BRITISH CEMETERY
Plot IV, Row E, Grave 6.
France
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
St Michael and All Angels Church Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of William James and Catherine Sarah (nee WIGGINS) SIMMONDS.
His parents married 1879 in the Southampton district. William died 1921 in Watford aged 60, and was buried 22 January in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Catherine died 1921 in Watford aged 61, and was buried 27 May, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Arthur was born 30 September 1897 in Watford, and baptised 21 November 1897 at St Mary’s, Watford. He attended Victoria Junior School, Watford; then Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 12 February 1906 to 4 September 1907.
On the 1901 Census, aged 3 he lived in Watford, with his parents and six siblings. On the 1911 Census, a page boy aged 13, he lived in Ryde, Isle of Wight.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Cardiff; was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 31 May 1915, and was killed in action.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, Arthur’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
There is an article about and a Death announcement for Arthur in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 28 September 1918.
His brothers: Thomas d
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
