Main CPGW Record
Surname: SIMPSON
Forename(s): Thomas
Place of Birth: Bolton-by-Bowland, Yorkshire
Service No: 203072
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Leicestershire Regiment
Battalion / Unit: 2/4th Battalion
Division: 59th (2/North Midland) Division
Age: 25
Date of Death: 1918-04-18
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 4.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: BOLTON-BY-BOWLAND, YORKSHIRE
Local War Memorial: GRINDLETON, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Thomas Simpson was the son of George and Emma Simpson, née Masters. George was born at Whitewell, Yorkshire and Emma at Burbage, Leicestershire.
1901 Grindleton, Yorkshire Census: Old Greenwoods - Thomas Simpson, aged 7 years, born Bolton-by-Bowland, Yorkshire, son of George and Emma Simpson.
1911 Slaidburn, Yorkshire Census: Dean Slack - Thomas Simpson, aged 17 years, born Bolton-by-Bowland, Yorkshire. [Thomas and his elder brother, Henry, were employed by Thomas Camm, Farmer.]
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Thomas Simpson, 203072, Leic. R.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Thomas Simpson, 203072, 2/4 Leic. R.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Thomas Simpson, 203072, 2/4 Bn Leicester. Date and Place of Death: 18.4.18 in Action Belgium. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Father - George. £15 18s. 3d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Thomas.
In a letter written to Thomas's parents by his Company C.O., (see 'Clitheroe Advertiser’ 3 May 1918) he writes: "I expect that your son has told you the sad news of his brother’s death." This is referring to Thomas’s brother, Pte Robert Simpson, 203087, who was also serving with the 2/4th Bn. He was later transferred to the 6th (Service) Bn Leicestershire Regiment.
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record: ---
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Private Thomas SIMPSON
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Leicestershire Regiment
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 59th (2/North Midland) Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
03 May 1918
SIMPSON – In ever loving memory of Private T. Simpson, Leicester Regiment, killed in action April 18th, 1918, while doing his duty as stretcher-bearer in France.
When alone in sorrow, and the bitter tears do flow,
There stealeth a dream of the sweet long ago;
Unknown to the world he stands by my side
And whispers – Don’t fret, death cannot divide.
For there is a link death cannot sever,
Love and remembrance last for over.
Ever remembered by his sorrowing fiancée, Nancy, and all at 8 Seymour Street, Birkenhead.
10 May 1918
CRAVEN AND THE WAR
Private T. Simpson, Bolton-by-Bolton
Private Thomas Simpson, son of Mr. Geo. Simpson, of Old Greenwood’s Farm, Bolton-by-Bowland, in the 25th year of his age, was killed on the 18th of April. He joined up in the spring of 1917 and was attached to the Leicesters. Previously he had been in service with Mr. Dugdale, of Holden. He was a member of the Holden Chapel Choir, and had many friends by whom he was well liked and highly respected – in fact he was a general favourite. A memorial service was held at the Chapel at Holden on Sunday afternoon, at which feeling reference was made by the pastor, Mr. Knight, to the sad loss. The hymn ‘Peace, Perfect Peace’ was sung, and the attendance was a crowded one.
The deceased soldier’s officer, writing to the father, says:– “What a splendid fellow he was. He had been in my Company for some time and just recently took to stretcher-bearing – a duty which eventually he gave his life for. His one thought was for his comrades, and he had done some splendid work. I shall always remember one incident in his life, which was so typical of him. It was in the attack we made at Ypres last September. Just before we left our assembly trenches, he gathered a few of his comrades together in a shell-hole and gave them a few words of comfort from the little New Testament that he always carried. Just in that one little incident you have the character of your son. On the 18th April he made the great sacrifice in the service of his comrades, and died as he had lived – a brave and God-fearing and splendid fellow. In a case like this my sympathy for you, his parents, must seem a paltry thing indeed. However, I ask you to accept what little comfort you can in your great sorrow, in the few lines I have written, and my sympathy.”
18 April 1919
SIMPSON – In ever loving memory of Tom, son of Mr. George Simpson, of Old Greenwoods Farm, Bolton-by-Bowland, who was killed in action April 18th, 1918 (one of the very best).
Twelve months have passed since one I loved
Entered to his rest above;
Since then the world seems cold and vast,
All my life’s joy seems overcast:
But hush, be every murmur dumb,
We’re only severed till He come.
So I’ll be brave and not complain,
We hope to meet in Heaven again.
Too dearly loved ever to be forgotten by his fiancée Nancy, and all at 8 Seymour Street, Birkenhead.
16 April 1920
SIMPSON – In ever loving memory of Pte. Tom Simpson, of Old Greenwoods, Bolton-by-Bowland, killed in action April 18th, 1918.
He has only crossed the river just a little while before,
And later on we’ll have to cross it too;
Then what happy rejoicings there will be upon that happy shore,
When loved ones meet again to part no more.
Ever remembered by his Fiancée, Nancy, and all at 8 Seymour Street, Birkenhead.
15 April 1921
SIMPSON – In ever loving memory of Pte. T. Simpson (Tom), of Old Greenwoods, Bolton-by-Bowland, killed in action April 18th, 1918.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
Ever remembered by his Fiancée, Nancy, and all at Seymour Street, Birkenhead.
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