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Name & Rank
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Temporary Lieutenant James Hawthorne Simpson
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Unit
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1st/ West Riding Field Company, Royal Engineers
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How & When Died
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Killed in Action, 3 July 1916
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Age, if known
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37 years
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Next of Kin details
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Son of David and Louise Simpson, of Leeds
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Commemoration Details
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Buried in Auchonvillers Military Cemetery, Somme, France. Plot II, Row E, Grave 6.
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Photographs
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A short Biography of James Hawthorne Simpson
James Simpson was educated at Leeds Boys Modern School between 1890 - 1897.
He was a pre-war Territorial Force Officer with the West Riding Royal Engineers (Leeds Territorials), who had originally been
commissioned in April 1897. Three years later, he was promoted captain. As he was still in service in 1900, it is entirely
possible that he saw active service in South Africa during the war of 1899 - 1902.
He resigned his commission in March 1908.
When War broke out he rejoined the Royal Engineers, although he had to relinquish his former rank of Captain. He served in
Gallipoli as part of the 29th Division, from where he was invalided back to the UK.
On his recovery he was sent back to his unit, which by this time had been evacuated from the Gallipoli Peninsula and were
now serving on the Western Front.
In civil life he was employed as a Traveller and Representative in the family business,
Simpson, Fawcett & Company, of Black Bull Lane, Hunslet, pail and perambulator manufacturers, which had been set up by
his grandfather. He moved to Scholes from Roundhay. Before the move and according to the 1901 census, the Simpson household
was settled at High Road and was comfortable enough to be able to afford to employ a cook, 33 years old, Sarah Somers who
was originally from Bridgenorth, near Shrewsbury in Shropshire.
James Simpson was born in Stourton, Rothwell, south
Leeds. He had a brother, Sydney, an auctioneer, and two sisters. He was a bachelor. His own address was The Cottage, Main
Street. This is one of the earliest buildings in the village.
His death was announced in the Yorkshire Evening Post
on Wednesday 12 July 1916 and featured a photograph of him in the pith helmet issued to troops in the Mediterranean Theatres.
James Simpson is also commemorated on the War Memorial at St John's Church at Roundhay in Leeds. His parents were
well known in the Roundhay area.
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