Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Robert Simpson a coal carter, born 1869 in Shepshed, Leicestershire and his wife Annie Elizabeth Simpson (nee Fowkes, married on the 26th September 1892 in Emmanuel Church, Loughborough, Leicestershire), born 1873 in Derby. Thomas was born in the 4th quarter of 1896 in Shepshed, and was baptised on the 10th January 1897 in the Parish Church, Shepshed, his siblings were, Mary Elizabeth, born 27th March 1893 and baptised on the 14th May 1893 in the Parish Church, Shepshed, William, born 1895 and baptised on the 13th October 1895 in the Parish Church, Shepshed and Matthew, born 1898 and baptised on the 20th November 1898 in the Parish Church, Shepshed, all his siblings were born in Shepshed, in March 1901 the family home was at Leicester Road, Shepshed. In April 1911 Thomas was employed as a farm labourer and was residing in the family home at Leicester Road, Shepshed, together with his father, a general labourer, his mother and siblings, Elizabeth a Griswold knitter, William a shoe trade clicker, Matthew, a schoolboy, Frank, a schoolboy, born 5th May 1903 and baptised on the 16th August 1903 in the Parish Church, Shepshed and Frances Isabella, a schoolgirl, born 1st August 1905 and baptised on the 1st October 1905 in the Parish Church, Shepshed, the latter two siblings were both born in Shepshed. Thomas also had a younger sister, Edith Annie, born 1909 and who died in 1910 in Shepshed. Thomas’s mother died in the 1st quarter of 1926 aged 53 in Shepshed and his father died in March 1939 aged 69 in the Billesdon, Leicestershire district.
Thomas enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 24th February 1914 in Shepshed, and was allotted the regimental service number 1824. He gave his place of birth as Shepshed, near Loughborough, Leicestershire and age as 17 years 4 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as quarry man, presently in the employ of -?- Granite Company. He gave his present address as Leicester Road.
His medical examination took place in Shepshed on the 24th February 1914 and recorded his apparent age as 17 years 4 months, that he was 5-feet 8 inches in height, had a chest measurement of between 31 and 34 inches and his physical development was described as good.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Robert Simpson, mother, A. Elizabeth Simpson, Leicester Road, Shepshed, Loughborough, Leicestershire.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Joined. At Shepshed. 24/2/14.
Posted. To 1/5th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 24/2/14.
Embodied service commenced. 5/8/14.
Embarked. With 1/5th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 26/2/15.
Landed. Le Havre. 27/2/15.
Sick. To Hospital. In the Field. 8/4/15.
Returned to duty. In the Field. 25/4/15.
Sick. To Hospital. In the Field. 1/6/15.
Returned to duty. In the Field. 22/6/15.
Killed in action. In the Field. 30/6/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 24/2/14 – 27/2/15. 1 year 4 days.
France. 28/2/15 – 30/6/15. 123 days.
Total Service. 1 year 127 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Reproduced the contents of a letter in Thomas’ service record: -
Dear Sir.
I received the packet containing as you state personal effects of my son the late No.1824 Private Thomas Simpson 1/5 Leicester Reg. and on looking through them found only 3 letters of his and disc with his name and all the others belong to a Driver J. Wm. Capendale 1624. 1/5 Leicester Regt. and -?- addresses on them and am forwarding them on to his parents hoping I am doing right and if there is anything else belonging to my son which may have got mixed with the other name will you kindly forward at your earliest convenience.
Yours Respectfully and with thanks
Mrs. E. Simpson
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 30 Jun-15 - ZILLEBEKE. At 11.00pm enemy shelled No.6 trench with high explosive and universal shells. Several casualties. At 5.00pm “C” Company took over No’s 7 and 8 trench. Each Company found its own supports.
On Thursday 8th July 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. Information has been received at Shepshed of the death of Private T. SIMPSON, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Simpson, Leicester-road. He was killed on June 30th in the trenches. The deceased belonged to the G (Shepshed) Company of Territorial’s, and left Shepshed on August 7th of last year.