Frank Simpson

Frank was the son of Frederick and Sarah Ann Simpson (née Fisher). His father was born in Nottingham in about 1848 and his mother also in Nottingham in about 1849. They were married in 1873 and had nine children of whom only six were living at the time of the 1911 Census. Seven children have been traced on the census records between 1881 and 1911 including the eldest child, Frederick, who was born before their marriage. All the children were born in Sneinton: Frederick Simpson Fisher b. 1870, Florence b. 1873, Lizzie (also Eliza/Elizabeth) b. 1878, Frank b. 1880, Alice b. 1882, Annie b. 1887 and Mary b. 1891 (reg. J/F/M) who died later that year (reg. A/M/J). In 1891 Frederick, a labourer, and Sarah, a lace hand working from home, were living at 19 Victoria Place, Nottingham. Five of their children were living at home: Eliza (13), Frank (11), Alice (8), Annie (3) and Mary (4m). Mary died later that year. Frank attested in the Militia in 1897 giving his address as 80 Newington Road, Sneinton. His parents were living in No Man's Yard, Nottingham, by 1901; only Annie (13) was in the home on the night of the census. Apart from the eldest son, Frederick, the older children have not yet been traced in 1901. Frederick, though, had enlisted in the Militia (4th Bn Derbyshire Regiment) and later transferred to the Royal Scots Fusiliers. He was recalled from the Army Reserve under Special Army Order of 7 October 1899 to the Royal Scots Fusiliers and served in South Africa from 22 October 1899 to 19 July 1901. He was discharged on 22 July. Frederick, who was working for Nottingham Corporation, was living at 80 Newington Street, Sneinton, with his parents and sister Annie in 1911. His brother Frank was married as were his three other sisters. Florence was married to Charles Tatam and living with their two children on Finsbury Avenue, Sneinton. Lizzie had married James Wells in 1902 while Alice had married George Green at Nottingham St Mary on 31 July 1909 and they were also living in Sneinton. Sarah Annie Simpson died two years later in 1913. Frank married Annie Smith (b. 8 February 1884) at Nottingham St Paul on 10 April 1909. In 1911 they were living at 8 St John's Cottages, Nottingham; Frank was a Water Works employee and Annie a hosiery winder. Their son Frank Bramwell was born three years later on 10 May 1914. When Frank attested in the Army Reserve (Special Reservists) in August 1914 the family was living at 3 Wasnidge Street, Hawkridge Street, Nottingham. Annie completed a form for the Army in May 1919 listing her late husband's surviving blood relatives. She and their son Frank were still living at 3 Wasnidge Street while of his family: Father: Frederick, 3 Robert Street Sneinton. Brother: Frederick, Manor Avenue Sneinton Sisters: Lizzie Wells, Loughborough Avenue Sneinton; Alice Green, Kingston Street Sneinton and Annie Simpson, 3 Robert Street Sneinton. His sister Florence Tatum, her husband and children may have already emigrated to Australia as there are records, including death registrations, (transcripts not sighted), placing them there. The later CWGC record gives Annie's address as 1 Wasnidge Street. However, in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled, Annie and her son, a water filling tester, were living at 99 Parkdale Road, Bakersfield, Nottingham. Also in the household was John Hawkins (b. 1873 d. 1945), a widower, who was working as a nightwatchman. Annie died on 2 June 1973. Her son Frank died on 19 October 1981; he was still living at 99 Parkdale Road.