Name
Arthur John Simms
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
07/01/1919
52
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Serjeant
M2/077241
Royal Army Service Corps
Motor Transport Depot
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
SUNBURY NEW CEMETERY
C. 4. 296
United Kingdom
UK & Other Memorials
Rickmansworth Urban District Memorial
St. Mary’s Church Memorial, Rickmansworth
Pre War
Arthur’s birth was registered in 1867 in Andover, Hampshire. He married Rose Meillear in 1886, registered in Woolwich district.
In 1891 they were living in Lewisham and in 1901 in Lambeth, where Arthur worked as a foreman electrician. In 1911 Arthur, Rose and five children were living at Hillview, Hazelbury Crescent, Luton. Arthur and two of his sons were employed in a Motor Car Works (presumably Vauxhall) where Arthur was the Works Superintendent.
Their son Albert Frederick Simms also enlisted in the RASC Motor Transport division on 19 September 1916 and was demobilised in Bonn, Germany on 23 September 1919 after serving with XVIII Corps Heavy Artillery. Another son, Albert Edward served as a Corporal in 110 Squadron, RAF.
When Albert attested on 11 December 1915 the family was living at 78 Ebury Road. Rose continued living there after the war.
Wartime Service
Arthur Simms served in the Motor Transport section of the Royal Army Service Corps, where he was able to use his motor industry expertise.
His service record has not survived but he had already enlisted with the RASC, based in Chippenham, Wilts. when his son Albert attested on 11 December 1915.
Arthur died of sickness while working at the RASC depot at Kempton Park. He is buried in Sunbury New Cemetery. His family added the inscription to his headstone, “His country called. He gave his life for those he loved the best.”
The army paid his widow £33 15s 2d.
Acknowledgments
Malcolm Lennox, Brian Thomson
