Name
Leonard Simpson
28 April 1886
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
05/04/1920
35
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Second Lieutenant
The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
3rd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Searched but not found
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
GREAT BERKHAMSTED (ST. PETER) CHURCH CEMETERY
Row 1.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
All Saints Church Memorial, Berkhamsted
Pre War
Leonard Simpson was born on 28 April 1886 in Darwen, Lancashire, the youngest son of Henry and Margaret Ann Simpson.
On the 1891 Census Leonard was living at Hollins House, Darwen with his mother, older sisters Isabella and Marion and two servants. His father was not listed with them, but was a director of a wallpaper manufacturing company. He was educated at University School, Southport, Lancs, and Kings College, London.
By the time of the 1901 Census he was a visitor (aged 16) at the home of Henry and Maria Sarson (vinegar brewer) in Highbury Crescent, Islington, London, and working as a junior clerk to a paper maker.
In 1911 Leonard and his parents were recorded as visitors at the home of Henry and Hannah Simpson, Greyholme, Wealdstone, Middlesex. Henry Simpson was a petroleum oilfield expert and Leonard was an office manager (petroleum work). His father was a director of wallpaper manufacturers.
Leonard married Margaret Mary Hughes on 28 December 1911 at Christchurch, Lancaster Gate, Paddington, London. He was then living at Clarence Road, St Albans and gave his rank or profession as 'Gentleman'. They were married by licence which stated that he was living at 82 Strada Placsilor Ploesti in Romania. Their daughter Marion Isabel was born on 10 December 1915 at Berkhamsted and they were living at Greenway, Berkhamsted when he died in 1920.
His widow later lived at Overton House, Berkhamsted.
Wartime Service
Leonard enlisted in December 1914 and joined the Inns of Court for officer training. His application mentioned that he could speak German, Romanian and Polish and that he had considerable experience in mining engineering in Austria and Romania. On 12 January 1915 he was appointed 2nd Lieutenant with the 3rd Battalion, The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). He never saw active service as he contracted influenza and bronchitis in early April 1915 which then led to gastric and breathing problems, He was discharged on 9 February 1916 and issued with Silver Badge No. 3135 on 11 November 1916.
He died on 5 April 1920, aged 35 at his home at 15 Greenway, Berkhamsted. He is buried in Great Berkhamsted (St Peter) Church Cemetery, Rectory Lane, Berkhamsted.
Additional Information
His widow was granted probate of his estate on 21 April with effects of £226 12s 6d.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild, www.rectorylanecemetery.org.uk
