John Henry Simpson
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
John Henry Simpson was born in 1883 at Nottingham and was the son of Shilhi and Annie Simpson née Bish of 104 Barnby Gate, Newark. His father Shilhi was born in 1851 at Navenby, Lincolnshire and his mother Annie Bish was born in 1861 at Gonalston. They were married in 1882 at Lincoln and went on to have the following children, John Henry b1883 Nottingham, Charles William b1861 Hornchurch and Arthur b1890 Boston. John Henry Simpson married his wife Charlotte Beatrice Capes (b1885 Newark) on 20th April 1909 at Newark; they went on to have a son Shilhi Arthur born 29th October 1912 in Newark. They lived at 102 Barnby Gate Newark. In the 1911 census he and his wife are living at 102 Barnby Gate Newark and are shown as John Henry Simpson 28 yrs a hairdresser, who is living with his wife Charlotte Beatrice 26 yrs. In the same 1911 census his parents and siblings are living at 104 Barnby Gate, Newark and are shown as Shilhi Simpson 60 yrs a motor dealer who is living with his wife Annie 50 yrs and their children, Charles William 24 yrs a hairdresser (working for his brother) and Arthur 21 yrs a taylors trimmer His father Shilhi died in 1913 at Newark aged 60 yrs.
Private John Henry Simpson enlisted on 9th December 1915 at Southwell. He gave his age as 32 yrs and 9 months his address as 102 Barnby Gate, Newark, his occupation as that of a hairdresser and his next of kin his wife Charlotte Beatrice of the same address. He was posted to the reserves the following day and mobilised on 14th August 1916. He was posted with service number 58861 to the Royal Scots Fusiliers. On 24th May 1917 he was transferred to the 2nd battalion Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) and landed in France on that date. On 9th June 1917 posted to the 11th battalion. He was killed in action on 7th December the same year by shell fire and is buried at Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery, Nord, France.
Personal inscription, CWGC headstone: 'Greater love hath no man that he lay down his life for others.' His brother Private Arthur Simpson attested on 9th December 1915, he gave his age as 25 yrs and 154 days, his address as 104 Barnby Gate Newark, his occupation as that of a greengrocer and his religion as that of a Wesleyan. His next of kin was his mother Annie of the same address . He was posted to the reserves the following day. Mobilised on 10th April 1916 he reported to the Derby depot the following day and was posted to the 4th battalion Sherwood Foresters with the service number 42024. He landed in France on 16th July 1916 and was transferred on 30th August 1916 to the 9th battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers. He was reported missing between 21st - 29th March 1918, he had been taken a prisoner of war. He died on 28th April 1918 of wounds he had received in action, (a gun shot wound to his thigh) at Manberg Prisoner of War hospital. He is buried at Hautmont Communal Cemetery, France. Article published in the Newark Herald on 15th December 1917 :- Son of Annie & late Shilhi Simpson of Newark. Resided with wife, Charlotte B. Simpson and five year old son at 102 Barnbygate, Newark. He had lived practically all his life in Newark and as a boy attended the Wesleyan Day School. Later he was apprenticed with Mr J. Belton, hairdresser, Barnbygate. Following which he was an assistant in a similar business in the arcade and 13 years ago commenced on his own account at 102 Barnbygate. Where he remained until he was called up on Aug. 14th, 1916. In May last he was home for his final leave and a fortnight afterwards he went to France, where he has remained ever since. His battalion was in the line, he was near the well with several other men getting water, when a shell burst among them, killing him and wounding three others. Brother Arthur (Irish Fusiliers), was wounded and captured in March 1918.
