John Alexander Simpson – Submitted by Eric Simpson Background John Alexander Simpson Was Born on the 20Th March 1890 at Mayne
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John Alexander Simpson – submitted by Eric Simpson Background John Alexander Simpson was born on the 20th March 1890 at Mayne Farm Cottages Elgin, the fourth of eleven children to James and Helen Simpson. His older brothers were James Simpson and Alexander Simpson my grandfather. John Simpson became a gardener of some repute learning his trade at Newton House Elgin before moving to Thurston House near Innerwick, Dunbar. On the outbreak of War, two of his brothers, William and Alexander enlisted. By this time John, who was living near Edinburgh, and he enlisted in August 1914 with the Royal Scots at Glencorse Barracks Edinburgh. John was to be awarded the DCM for Bravery at the Battle of Loos on 15th May 1915 and was mentioned in Dispatches in March 1916. 1917 During April and May 1917 the Battle of Arras raged for several weeks in and around the town of Arras. On the edge of Roeux stood a chemical works, next to the railway line and in enemy hands. Machine guns here, with their garrisons safely sheltered in a complex of underground galleries, were in a perfect position to cover the horizon (along which the sunken lane to Bailleul runs). The site of the once notorious chemical works is now a supermarket. The post-war railway buildings, which replaced those devastated in 1917, are themselves now redundant. Roeux station is now a just small glass shelter, but the Arras trains thunder by frequently. Roeux was built over a system of caves, which helped to make its capture in 1917 extremely difficult. It was attacked by the 9th Scottish Division without success on 12th April. The chemical works close to the Railway Station were taken by the 51st Highland Division (1/6TH Seaforth Highlanders and therefore John and William Simpson involvement) The Chemical works were lost again and retaken on the 15th May but lost once again on the 16th May. They were not retaken until 26th August. And so the area between Fampoux and the Chemical Works at Roeux would have been No Man’s Land and subject to extensive sniping and fighting by both sides. In the days leading up to the British offensive of 7th June small patrols were sent forward to engage the enemy and quite often gain some important ground. It was on one of these patrols that Sgt John Simpson was killed. According to Military Records, on the evening of the 4th June the Patrols were caught in enemy machine gun crossfire. Leading from the front and realising the immediate danger that the Patrols were in Sgt John Simpson led a patrol of men forward attacking and eliminating one enemy machine nest. This led to the loss of some of his patrol. He then gathered his men again and attacked a second German machine post and during this head on charge forward, the Patrol now suffered casualties including the death of Sgt John Simpson. The enemy post was destroyed. Following his death his brother William who was in action nearby was called forward to be informed and to be given the personal effects of John to be sent home. John Alexander Simpson was, at the time of his death, according to The Northern Scot, one of "Elgin's foremost War Heroes" Listing of John Simpson from the Commonwealth Grave Commission 1134 SIMPSON, JOHN Sergeant 11981 Royal Scots 06/06/1917 27 Bay 1 and 2 Just yards away along the lane towards Fampoux, there is a Celtic cross to the Seaforth Highlanders which looks out over the gentle slope down which the 2nd Battalion of that Regiment moved to virtual annihilation as they approached Roeux. It is difficult now to comprehend how this was once a scene of great carnage, and immense valour. John Simpson's Medals - Royal Scots Museum Edinburgh L- R - DCM, 1914 Star, British War Medal 1914 - 1918 and Allied Victory Medal Distinguished Conduct Medal Instigated by the British as a means of recognising acts of gallantry performed by 'other ranks' (Le. non-commissioned officers) during the Crimean War (from 4 December 1854), the Distinguished Conduct Medal was regarded as second only to the Victoria Cross in prestige. Acting upon the fear during the First World War that the overwhelming demand for medals would devalue the prestige of those already available, the Military Medal was issued as an alternative to the Distinguished Conduct Medal from March 1916. With the medal 36mm in diameter attached to a 1.25 inch wide ribbon, a silver laurelled bar was awarded for subsequent acts of bravery (although prior to 1916 these comprised plain dated bars) in the field in the face of the enemy. The front of the medal comprised (from 1902) the head of the reigning monarch; the reverse contained the legend 'For Distinguished Conduct in the Field'. In 1993 the medal was replaced by the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. Recipients of the medal entitled the holder to append the letters 'DCM' to their name Awards of the medal were announced in the London Gazette, accompanied by a citation. A veterans’ group, called the DCM League, existed after the war. A very detailed reference is "Recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal 19141920" by R.W.Walker, published 1980. Submitted by Eric Simpson .