No.130230, Driver, Frank SIMKIN
Aged 42
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William Frank Simkin was born in West Wickham (Linton Q4-1875 3B-514), son of Edward and Louisa SIMKIN (née FLACK). The family were apparently Primitive Methodists and later became strong members of the West Wickham Salvation Army. 1881 census...Aged 5, He was at Hare Wood, The Street, West Wickham with his father Edward SIMKIN [35] blacksmith born Horseheath; his mother Louisa [33]; brothers Ernest [14], Harry [10], Edward [9], John [7], William [4] Maurice [3] and Dennis [1]; sisters Gertrude [11] and Maude [3]. All except his father were born in West Wickham. 1891 census...Aged 15, farm labourer, he was at The Street, West Wickham with his parents; sisters Gertrude, Maud and Louisa [8]; brothers Henry and John (blacksmiths), Denis, Thomas [7], Berty [6] and Russell [4]. All the new siblings were born in West Wickham. 1901 census...Aged 26, he was a domestic gardener with the Rev. Edward HOUNDLE's family at St James Rectory, Heyshott, Sussex. His parents were still in West Wickham with his brothers Henry, John and Herbert (Berty) and sisters Maud and Louisa. 1911 census...Aged 38, single, a groom/gardener, he was at Sidney Cottage, Heyshott, Sussex. His parents were still in West Wickham with brother Harry and sister Maude. He was already in the Army, serving at Rushmoor Camp, Aldershot, when he married Mary Frances LEWENDON [24-2-1876] in Richmond on 27th September 1916, later of 163 Boundary Road, Wood Green, and then Upper Cranmore Farm, Hayshott, nr Midhurst, Sussex. London |
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He enlisted in Midhurst, Sussex, while resident in Heyshott, Sussex.
The battle of Cambrai in Nov/Dec. 1917... 11:00 51st Division holding the line around Moeuvres drove off an attempted attack around Tadpole Copse with the assistance of 99th Brigade of 2nd Division. The Brigades then begin their phased withdrawal, but not before 29thDivision was attacked by the Germans trying to force a way through between Marcoing and Noyelles further north. During the evening all units across the Canal of 3rd Corps were brought back to the British side and bridges blown by Royal Engineers, coinciding with the general retirement. CWGC records 16 of the 63rd Brigade, RFA killed, only 2 with known graves.
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