SIMPSON, Archibald
| Service Number: | 3121 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 2 August 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 51st Infantry Battalion (WW1) |
| Born: | Dunrossness, Shetland, Scotland, 26 August 1895 |
| Home Town: | Perth, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Renfrew, Scotland |
| Occupation: | Carpenter |
| Died: | Killed in action, Mouquet Farm, France, 3 September 1916, aged 21 years |
| Cemetery: |
Aveluy Wood Cemetery, (Lancashire Dump), Mesnil-Martinsart Plot I, Row L, Grave No. 14. |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Fremantle 849 Memorial, Kings Park Western Australia State War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 2 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3121, 11th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 13 Sep 1915: | Involvement Private, 3121, 11th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières , --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Themistocles embarkation_ship_number: A32 public_note: '' | |
| 13 Sep 1915: | Embarked Private, 3121, 11th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Themistocles, Fremantle | |
| 3 Sep 1916: | Involvement Private, 3121, 51st Infantry Battalion (WW1), Battle for Pozières , --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 3121 awm_unit: 51 Battalion awm_rank: Private awm_died_date: 1916-09-03 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Brothers, 3118 Private Malcolm Simpson and his brother 3121 Pte Archibald Simpson emigrated with their family from the Shetland Islands, Scotland to Fremantle, Western Australia in 1912. The both enlisted in the 11th Battalion about three weeks apart. Malcolm was promoted to Corporal during early 1916. He was killed in action on 22 July 1916 at Pozieres and has no known grave. Archibald was transferred to the 51st Battalion as part of the 'doubling-up' of the AIF. He was killed in action on 3 September 1916 at nearby Mouquet Farm during the 51st Battalion assault on the formidable position. Archibald was reported missing after the battle, as were several hundred men of the unit.
At a Court of Enquiry in May 1917 he was declared “killed in action 3 September 1916.” He was only a few days past his 21st birthday.
Harry’s remains were found in May 1923, and identified along with 13 other soldiers of the 51st Battalion and six unknown Australian soldiers. They were all reinterred in Aveluy Wood Cemetery.
His identity disc was returned to his parents, Alexander and Jane Simpson, Fremantle, Western Australia, during November 1923, just over seven years after his death.
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