No.202728, Private, William SIMPER
Aged 33
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Although clearly Charles on the memorial plaque, this is the only man that fits the records. Nowhere can a Charles Simper be found . Willie Simper was born in 1885 in Ixworth Thorpe (Thingoe Q2-1885 4A:651), son of Fred and Ellen SIMPER (née BOND). 1891 census...Aged 6, he was at Jeffis Farm, Mill Road, Bardwell with his father Fred SIMPER [37], farm labourer born Ixworth Thorpe; his mother Ellen [33] born Ixworth; brother Arthur [11] farm labourer born Ixworth Thorpe; sisters Lily E [8] born Ixworth Thorpe and Susan [3] born Bardwell. 1901 census...Aged 16, a horseman on farm, he was at Place Farm, Bardwell with his parents (father now farm bailiff) and sister Isabel [8] born Bardwell. 1911 census...Aged 26, a public works carter, he was boarding with Ellen SINGLETON and her son at Laughton, Rotherham, Yorkshire. His parents were in Ixworth Thorpe, one of 5 siblings had died. |
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He enlisted in Egremont, Cumberland. Initially No.4387 in 4th Res Bn, he served in the 1st and 2nd battalions before ending up in the 8th Battalion.
The war diary says- Warned to move at an hours notice on 26th May and moved into position south of the Ventelay-Bouvancourt road, east of Ventelay. The enemy attacked on the night of 27th May, with H.E. and gas shells, to the right of the 8th Border positions and the battalion was tasked to scout the area and roads around Concevreux, Roucy and Geyencourt, for signs of enemy incursion. The 8th Border then received orders to take up a line astride the Ventelay Roucy road at La Peite Farm and from there C and D Companies advance to defend the bridge over the Aisne Canal at Pontavert. A and B Company moved forward also and each company were told to hold two bridges. By 9.30 am, the Germans had crossed the Canal already and the companies now were sent to reinforce units under attack ahead of them around the village of Roucy.A and C Companies with the 2nd S. Lancs, north of Roucy.They took up a position near a railway line and by 12.30 the message arrived that A Company were now placed under the 2nd S Lancs on the northern slope of the Butte de Marchanne. B Company reinforced the 11th Cheshires west of Roucy, with D Company in support, but were soon in the thick of the action, west of Bouffignereux, D Company trying to advance, but being driven back by machine gun fire. The companies now were formed up in desperate defence on the Ventelay-Roucy road, near the Bois de Rouvroy, along with men of the 11th Cheshire and remnants of the 8th and 50th Divisions. Attacks were repulsed at 4.30pm, but by 5.30 pm the position was gradually being encircled and pounded. Desperate does not begin to describe this defence, short of ammo, with no support and no contact with either flank, and promised assistance not materialising. Finally they had to fall back to La Paite Farm by 10.30 pm. Now it became apparent the position was surrounded and the C.O. made the decision that a break out attempt must be made to rejoin the British Lines. At 1.30 am on the 28th May the men formed up and marched south west towards Breuil. CWGC have 36 killed, only two having an identified grave.
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
