Thomas Horace Simmons
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- Military History
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Thomas Horace known as Horace was born in 1888 at Nottingham the son of Henry a lace maker and Rebecca Simmons née Wragg. His father Henry was born in 1862 in Nottingham, his mother Rebecca Wragg was born in 1862 in Lenton. They were married in Nottingham in 1885 and had four children all of whom were born in Nottingham; their children were John H. b1886, Horace b1888, Leonard b1892 (died 14 yrs of age in 1908) and Edgar b1896. In 1910 Horace married Emily Smith in Nottingham, they went on to have a daughter Elsie born 12th October 1912 in Radford. In the 1911 census Horace is living with his wife at 3 Stilton Terrace, Norton Street, Radford, Nottingham, and are shown as Horace 23 yrs a rivet sweathand, he is living with his wife Emily 22 yrs a cycle hand. In the 1911 census the family are living at 66 Trafalgar Street, Radford and are shown as Henry 49 yrs, head of the family a lace maker, he is living with his wife Rebecca 49 yrs and their son Edgar 15 yrs a bobbin carriage hand. Following his death his widow Emily received a letter dated 23rd July 1918 from the Ministry of pensions informing her that she would be paid a pension of 18 shillings and 6 pence a week in respect of her and her one child to take effect from 5th August 1918.
Private Horace Smith enlisted in Nottingham on 29th August 1914, he gave his age as 26 yrs and 310 days, he stated he had previously served in the Robin Hood Rifles (Sherwood Foresters ) but had resigned in 1903. He gave his occupation as that of lace maker, his next of kin was his wife Emily Simmons of 3 Stilton Terrace, Radford, Nottingham. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 18th March 1915. Formerly with the 2nd battalion Sherwood Foresters he landed as a reinforcement to them on 11th November 1914 and was wounded on 24th May 1915 - a gun shot wound to the scalp. He was returned fit for duty on 6th June 1915. He was killed in action on 11th January 1918; he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Obituary published 19th January 1918 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “SIMMONS. – Killed in action on January 11th, Cpl. Horace Simmons, Sherwood Foresters, beloved husband of Emily Simmons, aged 30, 3 Stilton-terrace, Norton-street. He bravely answered duty's call, he gave his life for one and all. – From his sorrowing and heart-broken wife and child. “SIMMONS. – Killed in action on January 11th, Cpl. Horace Simmons, Sherwood Foresters, the beloved second son of Dan Henry and Rebecca Simmons, aged 30. The great sacrifice. Deeply mourned. – From his sorrowing mother, father, and brothers Jack, Edgar.” In memoriam published 10th January 1920 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “SIMMONS. – In loving memory of Cpl. H. Simmons, who passed away January 11th, 1918. Two years have passed but still to memory dear, we often speak thy name, dear one, and shed a silent tear. – Sadly missed by loving wife, little Elsie, and family. Above notices are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 His brother Edgar Simmons also served during the Great War. He joined the Territorials 7th battalion Robin Hood Rifles on 7th May 1914, he was 18 yrs of age at the time and living at 66 Trafalgar Terrace. He was mobilised on 5th August 1914. He landed in France on 28th February 1915 where he served until 21st November 1915 when was he was returned to England. On 12th January 1916 he was posted to Cammel Lairds in Nottingham where he worked as a munitions worker. He was recalled on 6th February 1918 and rejoined the Sherwood Foresters. At the end of the war he was discharged on 13th November 1918.
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