Illustrated Chronicle 1915
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
John Henry Simpson was born July 8th 1894 at Pelaw, one of 4 children of whom only 3 survived, 2 sons and a daughter. His father George Urwin Simpson was a native of Killingworth near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, born 1865 and was baptised October 21st 1865 in the Parish of St Nicholas, Newcastle. George married Margaret Elizabeth Martin, September 4th 1894 at Heworth, Gateshead, she was born in 1867 at Bill Quay, County Durham. His father as a young man was employed as a joiner, once married he became a miner, in 1911 he was a coal trimmer living at 37, Croxdale Terrace, Pelaw with his wife, daughter Winnie and son George along with a servant by the name of Sarah Greenwell aged 27. John Henry was not living at home.
At the outbreak of war John Henry was assigned as Able Seaman KP/482 Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve and transferred to Anson Battalion, 63rd Royal Naval Division, formed by members of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and volunteers who were not needed for service at sea, an idea of the them Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Members of these Divisions were transferred to the army, 8 were created in all. Training was slow and there was a lack of uniforms and equipment. Deal Battalion was still forming so only the Chatham, Portsmouth and Plymouth Battalions were sent to Flanders landing at Ostend, August 28th 1914, participating also in the Siege of Antwerp. Returned to England they landed at Dover about October 11th 1914 to replace lost equipment and men. Still as part of the 63rd Division they embarked at Devonport February 6th 1915 and by March 3rd the entire Division was on its way to Lemnos on the Gallipoli Peninsular. April 25th-26th Anson and Plymouth Battalions landed at Cape Helles, the first attack was mounted towards Achi Baba. In an attempt to advance on the Helles battlefields Battalions Drake, Plymouth, Howe, Hood and Anson engaged the Turks, who had launched a counter attack, during the 2nd Battle of Krithia, May 6th-8th 1915 and at the 3rd Battle of Krithia which began June 4th 1915.
Able Seaman KP/482 John Henry Simpson, R.N.V.R was killed in action on the first day of battle, June 4th 1915. His sacrifice as one of the 349 unidentified burials at Redoubt Cemetery, Helles, Turkey and he is commemorated by a special memorial B 52. John Henry was 20 years old and single. Awards Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The death of George Urwin Simpson preceded that of his son, he died October 13th 1912 at Gateshead, County Durham, leaving probate of 374 pounds 18 shillings and 7 pence to his wife Margaret Elizabeth of 17, Croxdale Terrace, Pelaw and Thomas Simpson, boot repairer.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
John Henry Simpson is remembered at Heworth on H92.03
