On Redoubt Cemetery Special Memorial, Helles, Turkey is the name of KP/482 Able Seaman John Henry Simpson serving with the Anson Battalion Royal Naval Division Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve who died 04/06/1915.
He was the son of the late George U. and Margaret E. Simpson, of Pelaw, County Durham.
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
John Henry Simpson was one of 4 children of whom only 3 survived and are known by name.
His father George Urwin Simpson was a native of Killingworth near Newcastle upon Tyne in 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 historically in County Durham, who was born on January 24th 1868 at Bill Quay, County Durham.
John Henry was born at Bill Quay, Pelaw on July 8th 1894, Winnie in 1898 and George Urwin Jnr in 1900. As a young man George Urwin Snr 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 living in the home of his uncle and aunt Thomas Cooper and Catherine Louisa Goodman at Dene House, Pelaw as he was apprentice to a ship plater at the shipyard.
When war with Germany was declared on August 4th 1914 men from all walks of life volunteered to serve their Country. John Henry Simpson enlisted on September 5th 1914 and assigned to the Durham Light Infantry and transferred 5 days later on September 10th 1914 to the Royal naval Volunteer Reserve at Crystal Palace.
The Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve was formed by members of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and volunteers who were not needed for service at sea. An idea of Winston Churchill the then Lord of the Admiralty there were 8 battalion named after notable naval commanders, Anson, Bonbon, Collingwood, Drake, Hawke, Hood, Howe and Nelson.
John Henry was assigned as Able Seaman KP/482 and transferred to Anson Battalion, 63rd Royal Naval Division on October 22nd 1914. 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 on 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 is commemorated by a special memorial B 52. John Henry was 20 years old and single. Awards 1914-15 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.
By 1921 Margaret Elizabeth had moved 22, Gosforth Terrace, Pelaw supported by her son George Urwin an apprentice plater at the shipyard, also in the household was her daughter Winnie and her husband grocer’s assistant John Thomas Jacksonn.
In 1939 Margaret Elizabeth Simpson was living with her relatives the Cowan family at 48, Tower Street, Jarrow historically in County Durham.
Margaret Elizabeth Simpson nee Martin (81) died in 1949 registered at Gateshead, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
John Henry Simpson is remembered at Heworth on H92.03
