Person

Alfred Ralph Simpson, the son of Thomas and Ann Simpson, was born in Crook in 1894. He had six brothers and two sisters and lived in Crook all his life, where he worked in a mine until he enlisted in the 1st/6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry.

On 20 August 1915, Private Simpson landed with his battalion in France. He was killed in action on 14 April 1917 during the Battle of Arras.

Civil Parish: Crook and Billy Row

Birth date: 1894

Death date: 14-Apr-1917

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: White Lea Square, Crook & Billy Row, Durham (1901 census)
Arthur Pit , Crook & Billy Row, Durham (1911 census)

Employment: Pony Driver – underground (1911 census)

Family: Father: Thomas Simpson
Mother: Ann Simpson (nee Hunter)
Siblings: William Ernest, Mark Anthony, Jane Ellen, Thomas George, Esther Isabella, John Robert Watson, Hugh Greenwell & Richard Hunter Simpson

Military service:

Enlisted in 1st/6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry
Regimental nos.: 3210 & 250348 P
rivate

Medal(s): 1914-1915 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal

Memorial(s): Arras Memorial, Bay 8
Durham Cathedral Book of Remembrance
St Catherine’s Church, Crook, Rood Screen & 1914-1918 Plaque

Gender: Male

Contributed by John Edwards