Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

THE LATE LIEUT.-COLONEL J. W.
SIMPSON.
Amongst those whose names will for ever be kept green in the memory of the people of Albury for his manly qualities and his valiant conduct in the great war is the late Lieut.- Colonel J. W. Simpson, M.C., who was killed in action in France in January, 1917. Prior to enlisting this officer was a capable and popular teacher on the staff of the Albury  Grammar School, and was at the same time one of the most popular sportsmen in the town. It may be truly said of him that he was as deeply loved by the general public as he  was by the principal and staff, of the Grammar School and the students of that establishment. The late Lieut.-Colonel Simpson, who had taken an interest in military matters prior  to the war and was an officer of the local infantry, displayed conspicuous ability in the field, and it was on that account that at the time of his death he was one of the youngest men in the Australian army holding the  responsible post of lieut-colonel. For gallantry and initiative at Gallipoli, when he held the rank of captain, he was awarded the Military  Cross. After passing through a series of heavy engagements on the peninsula he was found to be suffering from shell shock, and he was invalided to Australia. When he returned to Albury his health was far from satisfactory, and he was in the town some time before he could attend a welcome home arranged by his many admirers, when he was presented  with a valuable piece of plate in recognition of his services to the Empire. The function was a notable one.

He subsequently signed on again with the New England battalion, and sailed for France, where he was killed, leaving behind him a record of which Albury is proud. It was felt that  his memory should be perpetuated, and steps to that end were taken by Mr. G. B. Wilson, M.A., principal of the Grammar School. The tribute took the form of a memorial tablet in St. David's Presbyterian Church, Albury, and the unveiling ceremony was performed on Sunday morning last in the presence of a large gathering of townspeople, including the mayor and mayoress (Ald. Woods and Mrs. Woods), Colonel Wilkinson, V.D. ; Major T. H. Butcher, Major Harry Griffith, A.M.G. ; and Captain Maynard Wilkinson, recently returned  from the front. Special hymns were rendered by the choir, under Mr. J. G. Monaghan. M.A., and the solo, 'Only Remembered,' was feelingly sung by Miss Bernice Berry. Mrs. Percy Pogson presided at the organ. A sermon appropriate to the occasion was preached by the Rev. Alex. Fleming from the text, 'They shall bring the glory and honour of nations into  it' (Rev. 21-26)'.
After dealing with the lessons of the war, the righteousness of the Allies' cause, and the import of true patriotism, the preacher referred to the late Lieut.-Colonel Simpson in the  following terms: — 'Among the many who have contributed their share towards the fulfilling of that time was he whose memory they were that day seeking to perpetuate in  endurinc marble. It, was the name of one, of whom a soldier who had fallen where he led, had said, he was one of the bravest. That gallant soldier was Lieut. -Colonel Simpson,  M.C.  In the early days of the war Lieut.-Colonel Simpson was one of those who had heard the call of the bugles of England and responded. He did this not that he was enticed by the mere adventure and glory of war. He had no illusions on that matter, but he was quick to realise that the call of Empire was an appeal to the conscience of every man able to  bear arms, and so he responded. He left these shores with his battalion. Some of them would remember that morning when, along with two men, Lieut. Simpson, as he was then, marched to the martial music of the pipes through the streets of Albury. Of that company only three returned from Gallipoli, and now that number is reduced to two. All those  men paid the, price for liberty. Some are sleeping under the blue waters of the Mediterranean, others on the hill-sides of Gollipoli, while their leader sleeps on the shot-scarred  and shell seamed field of France. Of Lieut.-Colonel Simpson's qualities as a soldier there was little need to speak. His praise was in the mouth of all men. Honoured by his King,  respected and held in esteem by his superior and fellow-officers, beloved by his men, such a man could surely never be forgotten by those who know him. That day, by their  presence, they showed that the name of J. W. Simpson still could move their feelings. In the years to come, when they toll their children of him whose worth the tablet they were  unveiling that day commemorates, they would say to them that:
' 'He went as one who, answering duty's' call, '
Forsook the level plains and scaled the height.
And bravely strove against the oppressor's might,
To save his country from, the tyrant's thrall.'
 
As a teacher, many of the old boys of the Albury Grammar School have borne eloquent testimony to the influence he exercised over them in their student days. His one great  object was the inculcation of that true spirit, which went for the strengthening and building up of character. In the school-room, in the playground, and on the sports field this was ever his aim: to make manly men, who would scorn to be found not 'playing the game.' He entered into no undertaking half-heartedly, nor faltered to gain the goal of his ambition. It was this that in his earlier boy hood enabled him to wrest from seeming defeat a victory and to overcome obstacles which, to others, might have appeared insurmountable. To some of us Lieut. Colonel Simpson's life may seem short, but yet his achievements were great and his influence far-reaching. To the Grammar School of Albury he had left a name, the lustre of which shall not tarnish. To the district he had left the inspiration of his high-soiiled patriotism and intense devotion. To those who loved him best, because they knew him best, he had bequeathed many a sweet and precious memory that will never fade. He quietly sleeps in a far-off land, but his shrine is here. From life's  school, he had graduated, but that is not the end between him and us. And what is the message he would send to us? It is not that so well expressed in the words of Newbolt: 'This the word that year by year, 
While in her place the school is set;
Every one of her sons must hear,
And none that hears it dares forget.
This they all with a joyful mind
Bear through life like a torch in flame,
And falling, fling to the host behind —
Play up! Play up! and play the game.' ' -
At the conclusion of the sermon the tablet, which was hidden beneath the folds of the Union Jack, was unveiled by Mr. G. B. Wilson. M.A., Principal of the Albury Grammar School. A memorial wreath was also placed below the tablet. The inscription on the tablet is as ' follows :—
'To the Glory of God and in loving memory of Lieut.-Colonel J. W. Simpson, M.C, who was killed in action in France on 21st January, 1917. This tablet was erected by 'the present and past pupils of the Albury Grammar School in affectionate remembrance of his faithful ...work and untiring zeal for the welfare of the school. Well done, good and faithful  servant .'
The tablet, which is placed on the north wall of the church adjacent to the seat which the late Lieutenant-Colonel Simpson was wont to occupy, is a fine sample of sculptor's art.  Its preparation had been entrusted to Mr. Thomas Greenfield, the well-known monumental mason of Albury, and reflects great credit on that gentleman's artistic ability and skill.  The tablet is of the early English style of Gothic architecture, and is executed in white Sicilian marble.

"...Lieutenant Colonel James William Albert Simpson, MC, 36th Battalion of Albury, NSW, who was killed in action on 21 January 1917 in France. He was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous bravery and skill in actions at Gaba Tepe on the Gallipoli Peninsula in May 1915." - SOURCE