Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Eric Wilson Simon was only 18 years of age when he enlisted as a Private in 1914. When he returned to Australia in April 1919, He was Lieutenant E. W.  Simon M.M. and Bar, and had been wounded in action on five separate occasions.

Eric had just started teaching when he enlisted at nearly 19 years. After the war, he resumed his teaching and he became a remarkably devoted, skilful and much-loved teacher at Toowong State School.

He tragically died in a swimming accident, during January 1929, when he dived into shallow water in the Currumbin Creek in Queensland and broke his neck, which caused his death.

The Brisbane Courier of 25 April 1929, printed the following, under the headlines, ‘LIVED FOR OTHERS. LATE MR. ERIC SIMON. TOOWONG’S TRIBUTE TO HIS MEMORY.

"I know of no more extraordinary instance of self-sacrifice than where a person lives for others. This was what the late Mr. Eric Simon did. His was a life of self-denial, robbed of all that might give it colour, ambition, and hope, in order to please and make others happy. It was a life-long crucifixion.”

This was the tribute, which the head master of the Toowong State School (Mr. F. Bennett, B.Sc.) paid to the memory of the late Mr. Eric Wilson Simon at the unveiling of a portrait in his honour at the school grounds yesterday. It is intended that the picture shall be hung in the scholarship room; and to further commemorate the memory of Mr. Simon, what will be known as the Eric Simon medal is to be awarded annually to the scholar, boy or girl, who gains the highest pass in the scholarship examination. The simple inscription- “To the memory of Lieut. Eric Wilson Simon, M.M. with bar, whose work won the admiration of all concerned. Accidentally killed, January 14, 1929” appears on the portrait."

Eric Wilson Simon served at the landing on Gallipoli, and was in the thick of fighting at Quinn’s Post soon after. On 29 May 1915, the Turks succeeded in breaking into the Australian front line at Quinn’s Post. A party, led by Second Lieutenant Edwin Maurice Little was tasked with evicting the enemy troops. “At this juncture a sergeant, by name Simon, suggested to Little that they should attempt to rush the place. That venture seemed too desperate, but Simon, Little, and a youngster by name Traise (354 Private J H Traise) crept closer, until Simon, from the trench by the entrance, actually slipped a bomb through the loop-hole. There was a scuffle inside, followed by an explosion. The fire from the loop-hole ceased.” Later Little had himself taken to Major Carter in order to impress upon that officer the need for rewarding Sergeant Simon’s work. Eric was wounded in action on that day.

Eric Simon was eventually awarded a Military Medal for his work that day, later in 1916. Eric was more severely wounded in August 1915 and evacuated to Mudros with a bomb wound to his right thigh. He rejoined his unit a month later. He was wound for a third time at Pozieres, France on 7 August 1916, a shrapnel wound to the right shoulder. He was evacuated to England to recover and rejoined the 15th Battalion at the front on 3 January 1917.

Simon was wounded for a fourth time during a raid on Stormy Trench on 1 February 1917. He was again evacuated to England with a gunshot wound to his right arm and wrist. He was awarded a Bar to his Military Medal for his gallant conduct during very heavy bomb fighting all night at Stormy Trench.

He was again evacuated to England and returned to the 15th Battalion in the field on 30 May 1917.

He was promoted to Second Lieutenant soon after, then Lieutenant during September 1917.  Lieutenant Eric Wilson was awarded a Commander in Chiefs Congratulatory Card on 1 October 1917. The recommendation, was for “his conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations near ZONNEBEKE from 26-29 September 1917. The Battalion is most fortunate in possessing this Officer and his work on this occasion had a great effect on the result we achieved. He is a brilliant tactician and behaved with admirable bravery and dash. He led the leading platoon on our left flank and was placed there on account of our expecting strong opposition from enemy. He dealt successfully with enemy strong points on his front taking many prisoners. He was noted for his great work in the consolidation of the Blue line and kept his men cheerful and confident throughout operation. He has behaved with great gallantry on previous occasions.”

Eric was wounded in action for a fifth time, (Gassed) on 25 August 1918 and he was sent to 4th Australian Field Ambulance and then the 5th Casualty Clearing Station on the same day. He was then sent to England the next day.

Lieutenant Eric Simon MM and Bar of the 15th Battalion returned to Australia on 4 April 1919.

Shortly after Simon’s tragic death, a letter appeared in the in The Brisbane Courier of 18 January 1929, from H Bowen Banier at Caboolture and read “Sir, It is with profound regret that I read in today’s “Courier” of the death of Eric Simon I know nothing of him as a teacher and football coach, but as a soldier in the 15th Battalion I feel I could write a volume on his exploits could I be persuaded that my pen was worthy. Time was when Eric Simon’s was a name to conjure with in the great days when the 15th Battalion began to make history. He was as well known in the 15th as Captain Quinn himself, and his deeds were the talk of the brigade. He was wounded no fewer than four times within the first few months on Gallipoli (actually twice on Gallipoli and three times in France), and his gay courage was an inspiration to many less spirited soldiers. There were good and bad even in the 15th Battalion, but Simon was one of the best. He was no parade ground soldier being too intelligent, but as a brave fighter and a ‘daredevil’ he stood out even amongst brave men. There are two things I find it difficult to understand about Eric Simon. One is how he managed to come through the war alive and the other is how he came through without receiving the V.C. God rest him in peace. He was a true and manly man.”