Name
Sidney Herbert Simpson
25 November 1896
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
18/05/1915
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
L/14542
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)
3rd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
WIMEREUX COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Plot I, Row H, Grave 4A.
France
Headstone Inscription
THROUGH THE GATE OF DEATH HE PASSED TO A JOYFUL RESURRECTION
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, St James' Church Memorial, Watford Fields, We are not aware of any memorial in Garston
Pre War
Sydney Herbert was the eldest son of Charlie/Charles and Sarah (nee PARKINS) SIMPSON of Watford. His parents married 1892 in the Richmond, Surrey, district. Charles died 1935 in Watford aged 65, and was buried 29 July in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Sarah died 4 May 1940 in Watford aged 70, and was buried 9 May, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Sidney was born 24 or 25 November 1896 in Garston, Herts, and baptised 21 December 1896 at All Saints, Leavesden, Herts. He attended Victoria Junior School, Watford; then Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 8 January to 11 February 1907 and again from 18 March 1907 to 23 November 1910.
On the 1901 Census, aged 4 he lived in Watford, with his parents and younger brother Fred. On the 1911 Census, aged 14 he still lived in Watford, with his parents and brothers Fred, Ernest and Reginald.
Sydney joined 2 Herts Battery Royal Field Artillery, Territorial Force on 5 Sep 1912 as Private 7009. Following a short period with them he applied to enlist as a Regular and attested for the Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex) Regiment on 16 May 1913 for 7 years with the colours and 5 years on reserve. Sydney was posted to 4th Battalion on 26 Sep 1913 as Private L/14542.
Wartime Service
Following the Declaration of War Sydney went to France on 13 Aug 1914 and transferred to 6th Battalion on 1 Jan 1915 but this did not last long as he was posted to 4th Battalion on 2 Feb 1915, before being posted to 3rd Battalion on 16 Feb 1915.
Sydney gained promotion to Lance Corporal and 2 March 1915. He was wounded (Gun Shot Wound to Right Foot) on 10 May 1915. He died from his wound on 18 May 1915.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £5 and arrears of £3 7s 5d was paid to his Mother..Brother Ernest served as Service in Royal Navy as Boy and Able Seaman from Jul 1917 to Apr 1927.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
