John Simons
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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He was known as 'Jack'. Father: William Simons, born 1867 at Carlton, Nottingham and working as a carpenter and joiner. Mother: Sarah Simons, born in 1865 also in Carlton. Sisters: Millicent, born in 1895 in Carlton and working as a lace pattern girl and Annie, born in 1899 at Carlton. The family lived at 73 Sedgley Avenue, Sneinton Dale, Nottingham. John married Louisa Simons, nee Johnson, on 25/03/1915 in Nottingham, and they lived at 15 West Street, Sneinton, Nottingham, before moving to 150 Flewitt Street, Alfred Street, Nottingham.
He attested on 09/09/1914 at Nottingham and was posted to 13th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps on 08/10/1914. He was transferred to 6th battalion on 13/03/1915 and arrived in France on 01/04/1915 and on arrival joined 3rd battalion. On 21/08/1915 he faced a Field General Court Martial charged with being asleep in the trenches when acting as sentinel, a capital crime. He was found guilty, but received a sentence of two years imprisonment. It was recommended that the sentence be set aside. This clearly happened as he died of wounds at No. 2 London Casualty Clearing Station, Merville, on 10th September 1915. He is buried in Merville Communal Cemetery
Nottingham Evening Post, Roll of Honour, 23 September 1915: ‘Simons. Died of wounds, September 10th, Rifleman Simons, 3rd KRR, only son of Mr and Mrs Simons, Sneinton Dale. He died a noble death. Father, mother and sisters.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, In Memoriam, 9 September 1916: ‘Simons. In loving memory of our dear and only son, Rifleman Simons (Jack), KRR, late of 75, Sedgley-avenue, Sneinton Dale, died of wounds, September 10th 1915. Ever in our thoughts. Mother and dad.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, In Memoriam, 9 September 1916: ‘Simons. In loving memory of our dear brother, Rifleman J Simons, died of wounds, September 10th 1915. Fondly remembered by his sisters Millie and Annie.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
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