William Simpson
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | unknown |
| Place of Birth | Aberdeen, Scotland |
| Death | 13 Dec 1972 |
| Place of Death | Perth, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 24 years old |
| Description | 5'7" (1.70m) tall; weight 148 lbs (67.1 kg); ruddy complexion, blue eyes, brown hair. |
| Occupation | blacksmith |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Address | Seventh road, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife Mrs Grace Simpson |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 1999 |
| Date of Enlistment | 6 Mar 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 51st Battalion, 3rd Reinforcements / 13th Brigade, 4th Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 20 Jul 1916 - 9 Sep 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A48 Seang Bee |
| Date of Return | 10 Sep 1917 - unknown |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A38 Ulysses |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 11 Apr 1917 - 1st Bullecourt Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Armadale War Memorial (West Armadale panel) |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
William married Grace Mary Weedon in 1915 (Canning district).
War Service
Enlisted in Kalgoorlie. Entering camp on 6 Mar 1916, he was allocated to the 3rd reinforcement draft for the 51st Battalion on 4 Apr 1916. Proceeded overseas from England to France on the HMT Princess Victoria from Folkestone on 4 Dec 1916, and was taken on strength by the 51st Battalion on 23 Dec 1916 as it came out of the line at Flers.
On 11 Apr 1916, Bill was one of a number of local men involved in an action that was later to be known as 1st Bullecourt. The 51st Battalion was holding the front line to the right of Bullecourt itself. While the battalion's war diary doesn't make specific mention of activities that day, it does note that for the period they were in he line they lost 49 KIA and 200 WIA. Given they didn't participate in the attack itself, it is reasonable to assume that most were casualties from artillery bombardments.
Bill's wound was a shell wound to his right arm. After receiving early treatment from the 4th Australian Field Ambulance and the 1st Australian General Hospital in France, Bill was evacuated to England on the HMHS Grantully Castle from Le Havre on 22 Apr 1917 and admitted to the Bath War Hospital. Identified for early return to Australia, in late July at Monte Video camp in Weymouth, he was late returning from his post hospital furlough and confined to barracks for 4 days, with the loss of 3 days pay. Discharged 3 May 1918 at 5th Military District.
The West Australian 8 May 1917 p.5 293rd Casualty List includes W Simpson (Armadale) as being wounded
Post War
Electoral Roll entries - 1916 - 1917 Grace Mary at 7th road, Armadale; 1925 - 1926 at 12 Swansea street, Victoria Park, labourer ; Grace died on 28 Jul 1928 in Victoria Park.
Notes