Daniel Fredrick Simkins
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Daniel Frederick Simkins was the son of Daniel Thomas Simkins a butcher and Frances Simkins (née Newton) of 'Hill Crest' Sutherland Road Nottingham. His father was born in 1857 in Nottingham his mother in 1866 also at Nottingham. They had eight children six surviving infancy - Daniel b.1890, Ruby b.1888, Dora b.1891, Mary b.1894, George b.1896 and Charles b.1900. In 1911, they lived at 4, Wellington Terrace, Arundel Street, Nottingham. Daniel was a cabinet maker, Ruby a milliner, Dora a domestic, Mary a cycle maker, George a butcher’s assistant whilst Charles was at school.
Daniel enlisted on 8th May 1908 at Nottingham and served with the 7th battalion Sherwood Foresters. He was mobilised at the outbreak of war in August 1914. He served in Ireland during the Irish Rebellion in April 1916 and went out to France in February 1917 when he was promoted Company Sergeant Major. He was killed in action and buried in Templeux-le-Guerdard British Cemetery, Grave Reference: I G 1. An officer wrote of him to his parents :- “ A company Sergeant Major is the company commander's right hand man, and this your son was certainly to me. I cannot remember one single instance when I had occasion to find any fault with what he did. I believe by his example he has left a permanent mark of quiet determination and devotion to duty on my company. He died doing his duty, at his post in the way that he always did and in the way that had earned him the respect of all ranks in the battalion “
Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour' (abridged), 12 May 1917: 'Simkins. Killed by a shell April 30th (sic), Sergeant Major Daniel Frederick Simkins, age 27, eldest son of Mr and Mrs D Simkins, Clarendon Street, Nottingham.' 'In Memoriam', Nottingham Evening Post, 1st May 1918: “SIMKINS. – In loving memory of Co.-Sergt.-Major Daniel F. Simkins, killed in action May 1st, 1917. – Father and mother. “SIMKINS. – To the memory of our dear brother, C.S.M. D. F. Simkins, who made the great sacrifice on May 1st, 1917. – Will and May. “SIMKINS. – In remembrance of our two brothers, Daniel Simkins and Albert (Bert) Astle, who were killed May 1st and 3rd, 1917, respectively. – Dora {nee Simkins] and Arthur [Arthur Frederick Astle].” [Captain Albert George Astle, Leicestershire Regiment. Arras Memorial and Nottingham Holy Trinity war memorial] Above notices courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
