Alfred Vincent Simpson
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Alfred Vincent was the son of Arthur William and Anne Maria Simpson nee Kemp. Arthur William Simpson was born in Ilkeston in 1875 (A/M/J Basford), the son of William and Selina Simpson. He was baptised on 9 May 1875 in Ilkeston. Anne [Annie] Maria Kemp was born in Mapperley, Derbyshire, on 27 November 1873, the daughter of William and Betsy Kemp. She was baptised at Holy Trinity Church, Mapperley, on 4 January 1874. Arthur and Annie Maria were married in 1893 (J/A/S Basford) and had had eight children by 1911 of whom seven survived. Seven children were named on the census of 1901 and 1911: Alfred Vincent b. 26 November 1893, Horace Wilfred b. 1895 (O/N/D Basford), baptised Cotmanhay 27 October 1895, Frances Cecilia b. 1899 (A/M/J Basford), Elsie Winifred birth registered 1902 (J/F/M Basford), Doris Annie b. 1905 (A/M/J Basford), Arthur Bernard b. 1908 (A/M/J Basford) and Phyllis Noreen b. 1909 (O/N/D Basford, died 1912 J/A/S Basford age 2). All the children were born in Ilkeston, Derbyshire. In 1901 Arthur (25) a manager of an ironworks, and his wife Annie (27) were living at 176 Nottingham Road, Ilkeston, Derbyshire, with their three children, Alfred (7), Horace (5) and Frances (2). Arthur and Annie were still living at the same address in 1911 but only five of their seven surviving children were at home on the night of the census: Frances (12), Elsie (9), Doris (5), Arthur (3) and Phyllis Noreen (1). Phyllis died the following year aged 2 years. At the time of the 1911 census, the two oldest boys, Alfred Vincent (17) and Horace Wilfred (14), were both sea apprentices at a nautical training school in Birkenhead, Cheshire. At the time of Alfred's death in 1915 his parents were still at 176 Nottingham Road, Ilkeston, although they later lived at 'Beaureper', Park Avenue, Ilkeston. Annie Maria died on 18 August 1955 (Sep Ilkeston) at the age of 81. She and her husband were still living at Park Avenue, Ilkeston. Arthur William died in 1967 (Sep Ilkeston) aged 92. Only two of Alfred's siblings have been positively identified after 1911: Frances Cecilia did not marry and died at the age of 42 on 31 October 1941 (Dec Ilkeston); she was then living at 'Beaureper', Park Avenue, Ilkeston. Doris Annie married Francis Wincott in 1934 (J/A/S Basford). She may have died in 2003 (Jul North Devon, dob 9 May 1905).
Mercantile Marine, SS Shipcote. He was Third Officer onboard SS Shipcote (Newcastle) which was presumed lost with all hands in November 1915 while on passage from Archangel to Le Havre, France. His body was not recovered and Alfred is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. SS Shipcote, Springfield Steam Shipping Company, ex Birchfield 1914 purchased from Brown & Son, Liverpool.
Note: Alfred is not commemorated on the Ilkeston war memorial in Ilkeston market square. The Scarborough Mercury of Friday the 7th January 1916 had reported: ‘British ship overdue - Scarborough man on board - The Newcastle steamer Shipcote, which left Archangel for this country in mid November, is overdue, and there is anxiety for the safety of Mr.J.Owston, St Mary’s Walk, who is one of the crew. The vessel may be ice locked; however, as others are stated to be, and while the Shipcote may be detained the men may be safe.’ Many of the records suggest a date of 26th November 1915 when the ship went missing, but her fate is a mystery. It is not even clear whether the ship was lost in a storm or to enemy action or where the ship now lies. Alfred's father, Arthur William, was a freemason. He was initiated on 11 April 1911 at Rutland Lodge (1179), Ilkeston. His profession was given as ironworks manager. Probate: Simpson Frances Cecilia of Beaureper Park-avenue Ilkeston Derbyshire spinster died 31 October 1941 Probate Nottingham 25 March to Annie Maria Simpson (wife of Arthur William Simpson). Effects £1270 3s. 8d. Probate: Simpson Annie Maria of Beaureper Park-avenue Ilkeston Derbyshire (wife of Arthur William Simpson) died 18 August 1955 Administration Nottingham 11 November to the said Arthur William Simpson company director. Effects £2605 8s. 11d.
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