ALFRED SIMKINS 1889–1972

Royal Field Artillery WW1

Born 5th November 1889 in Sneinton, Nottingham

Married 1918 to Winifred A. Hole, son Alfred R. C. Simkins born 1922

Died 1972 in Nottingham.

Brother of Charles and Harry

1891 Census

Age two living at 16 Southwell Road, Nottingham with father Charles Hibb Simkins 31, a master butcher, mother Emily 31, née Stone, and brothers Harry 13, Dan 17 and Charles 18.

In 1896 Harry’s grandfather died. He had previously been running the farm at Adbolton and it was at that date that the family moved to Adbolton. There were a number of butchers shops owned by the family, including a very modern shop on Angel Row in Nottingham.

1901 Census

Age twelve living with his father Charles, a farmer at Adbolton, mother Emily, brothers Harry, Dan and Charles.

1911 Census

Employed as a bank clerk and living at Adbolton with parents and brother Dan

Military Service

Rank: Lieutenant

Military Unit: Royal Field Artillery, 56th Brigade on Lychgate Holme Pierrepont.  However Forces War Records gives his unit details as 35th Brigade, 7th Division

Theatre of War: France and Flanders, date of entry 5.6.16.

Enlisted August 1913

27.12.1916: he  transferred to No 14 Ambulance Train with acute tonsillitis. Had served with the forces for three years and six months (i.e. from 1913) and had been seven months with the field force at this point (from Forces War Records).

12.1.17: Embarked Le Havre for Victoria Hospital, Netley. Cause of illness, exposure and trench life.

17.1.17: Medical Board report. Tonsillitis and dental problems.

14.2.17: Light duties at Catterick Camp, Yorkshire.

8.3.19: Medical Board report. Shell shock and influenza Somme and Mons
He is easily upset by any sudden occurrence and at present has some tremor of hand. Recovered from influenza
Had embarked Calais for one month sick leave 29.11.18 but applied for further medical board 1.1.19

5.4.19: Relinquished commission

Medals Awarded

British War and Victory.

1921 Census

Address: 28 Millicent Road, West Bridgford

Employment: Bank clerk, L C W and Parrs Bank, Long Eaton

Household: wife Winifred

Other information

In 1925 he was working as a bank clerk and living in Millicent Road in West Bridgford.

1939 Register

Address: 148 Edward Road, West Bridgford

Occupation: bank cashier.

Household: mother Emily and M Beecroft, domestic servant

On 6 November 1947 when his mother died he was still working as a bank clerk  and living in Edward Road. He remained at Edward Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham (noted living there in 1969).