Photo: Brian Chandler
In Ashington (Holy Sepulchre) Churchyard is a headstone which reads:
In loving memory of
William
Beloved husband of
Margaret Scott
Who died Jany. 24th 1916
Aged 59 years
Also of their sons who were killed in action
Pte. J.D. Scott
Augst. 19th 1915 aged 20 years
Also Air Mechanic J.A. Scott R.A.F.
Sept. 23rd 1916, aged 19 years.
Also their son-in-law
Pte. T.W. Simpson R.N.D.
Killed in action Sept. 27th 1918
Aged 34 years
Also the above
Margaret Scott
Died Novr. 1st 1956 aged 81 years.
After labour cometh rest
Colin Boyd has provided the following:
Thomas was born on February 5th 1886. He was working as a miner living with his wife, Hannah at 15, Fourth Row, Ashington when he enlisted in the RNVR on January 20th 1915.
He was posted to the 3rd (RN) Field Ambulance and served in Gallipoli until September 2nd 1915 when he was hospitalised with Jaundice. He rejoined his unit on October 5th 1915 and then transferred to the 2nd (RN) Field Ambulance on December 1st 1915. He was admitted to the 23rd Casualty Clearing Station in France on May 5th 1917 suffering from Dysentery and poor dentition.
Thomas rejoined the 2nd (RN) Field Ambulance on June 26th 1917 and was posted as killed in action on September 27th 1918 while attached to the 149th (RN) Field Ambulance.
His two brothers-in-law J.D. Scott and J.A. Scott also died.
Thomas White Simpson is remembered in Ashington on A17.01 (A17.27), A17.06, A17.08 and A17.43 and in Gateshead on G39.030
