Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Simms, a glove trade worker, born in the April quarter of 1855 in Countesthorpe, Leicestershire and baptised on the 5th August 1855 in Countesthorpe (son of Thomas Simms, 1819 and Mary Hindley, 1815) and his wife Selina Simms (nee Lord, married on the 17th September 1882 in St. Andrew’s Church, Countesthorpe), born on the 30th April 1856 in Countesthorpe and baptised on the 5th October 1856 in St. Andrew’s Church, Countesthorpe (daughter of William Lord, 1814-1867 and Elizabeth Hubbard, 1815). Arthur was born in the October quarter of 1894 in Countesthorpe, his siblings were, Edith Annie, born in the July quarter of 1883, Mary Elizabeth, a hosiery trade griswold knitter, born on the 18th March 1886, Eliza, a sock trade worker, born on the 3rd November 1888, Margaret, born on the 9th July 1892 and William, born in the January quarter of 1897, all his siblings were born in Countesthorpe, in March 1901 the family home was at Leicester Road, Countesthorpe.
In April 1911 Arthur was employed as a hosiery trade worker and was residing in the family home at Leicester Road, Countesthorpe, together with his father a glove trade worker, his mother and siblings, Edith, Eliza, a hosiery trade worker, Margaret, a hosiery trade worker, and William, a hosiery trade worker.
Arthur married Maud Clarke in the January quarter of 1917 in the Hinckley, Leicestershire district, Maud was born on the 25th July 1893 in Blaby, Leicestershire (daughter of Thomas Clarke, 1869 and Ellen Allcoat, 1865).
FAMILY NOTES: Arthur died in the Leicester Royal Infirmary on the 8th December 1920 from epididymitis, tubercular meningitis.
Arthur enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 11th May 1915 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 4833. He gave his present address as Leicester Road, Countesthorpe, Leicestershire.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 11th May 1915 and recorded his birthplace as Countesthorpe, Leicestershire, declared age as 21 years 6 months, trade or occupation as hosiery hand with J. D. Broughton, Wigston Magna, that he was 5-feet 9½ inches in height, weighed 130 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 32½ and 35½ inches, his physical development was described as [not recorded], his vision was described as R.E.-V=D6. L.E.-V=D6. Enlisted at Leicester on the 11th May 1915. Joined on enlistment 4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Regimental No. [not recorded].
His medical inspection record gave his full name as Arthur Simms, his apparent age as 21 years 6 months, his height as 5-foot 9½ inches, his chest measurement as 32½ inches to 35½ inches, his vision as D6/D6 and his physical development as good.
He was certified as fit for the Territorial Force/Army. Date 11th May 1915. Place Leicester.
He gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his father Thomas Simms. Mother Mrs. Simms, Leicester Road, Countesthorpe, Leicestershire.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 11/5/15.
Posted. To 3/4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 11/5/15.
Embodied service commenced. 11/5/15.
Transferred. To 1/4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 2/3/16.
Discharged under King’s Regulations. Para 392 (XVI). No longer physically fit for War Service. 7/11/16.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 11/5/15 – 4/3/16. 299 days.
France. 5/3/16 – 21/9/16. 201 days.
Home Service. 22/9/16 – 7/11/16. 47 days.
Total Service. 1 year 182 days.
He was awarded the British War Medal, Victory Medal and Silver war Badge No.179151 (30/5/17).
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.
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