Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Edward Simpson was born 1876 in Easington, County Durham, the son of coal miner James Simpson and his wife Sarah. Edward married a young woman named Mary Jane born 1882 in Witton Gilbert, County Durham,
Edward enlisted in Stanley in 1914 and was assigned as Private 25761 11th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, during his service rising through the ranks to Lance Corporal. Under the orders of the 50th Brigade, 20th Division they initially moved to Woking then Pirbright. January 6th 1915 they converted to a Pioneer Battalion in the same Division, moving to Whitley in February and by March where in Larkhill. After final training the Division departed from Southampton for Le Havre in France, July 20th 1915. From July 30th-January 21st 1916 the Battalion was based in the Laventie Sector and by July 1916 had fought for 6 months in the Ypres salient around Elverdinghe and Ooodezeele. They engaged the Germans on the Somme battlefield near Beaumont-Hamel and were involved in the Somme Campaigns until July 1st 1917. The Battalion participated in action on the Transloy Ridge and the capture of Rainbow and Cloudy Trenches at the beginning of October, resting for a period in early November at Picquigny. January to July 1917 the 11th was in pursuit of the Germans retreating to the Hindenburg Line and then back to the salient during the Third Battle of Ypres and the capture of Langemark. During the Battle of Cambrai, October 10th-December 3rd 1917 the 11th Battalion were critical to holding the line against German counter-attack.
Lance Corporal 25761 Edward Simpson was wounded in the field during the battle in the Ypres sector on the Menin Road near Ghelvelt. Taken to the 10th General Hospital near Rouen he died of his wounds December 12th 1917 and is interred at St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Grave P. V. O. 6B. His widow paid the sum of 5 shillings and 10 pence for an addition inscription to be added to Edward’s headstone which reads, “Greater Love Hath No Man”. Edward was 35 years old.
Mary Jane received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal, sent to 10 Laxey Street, West Stanley, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Edward Simpson is remembered at Craghead on C120.01 and C120.04 and at Stanley on S135.04
