BSM SIMMS, C. (CHARLES) E. (EDWARD), DCM

QSAMIKE · October 18, 2010

SIMMS, C. (CHARLES) E. (EDWARD)

REG. NO.: 66038

RANK: SERGEANT

REGT: ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY, "A" SECTION POM-POMS, SERVED WITH 6th BATTALION MOUNTED INFANTRY

BARS: CAPE COLONY, PAARDEBERG, JOHANNESBURG, DIAMOND HILL, WITTEBERGEN

REMARKS / HISTORY:

1. DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL, EDWARD VII, 66038 SJT. C.E. SIMMS, R.F.A.

2. KING'S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL, USUAL 2 BARS (as QSA)

3. ARMY LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, EDWARD VII, 66038 BTY. SJT. MJR. C.E. SIMMS, R.F.A. (WITH ANNUITY)

4. MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL, GEROGE VI, 66038 W.O. CL. 2 C.E. SIMMS, (D.C.M.) R.A. (WITH ANNUITY)

5. SILVER WAR BADGE, Number: 294850

6. BRASS PLAQUE: Presented to / BATTY. SERGT. MAJ. SIMMS / BY THE N.C.O.'S AND MEN OF / 5th Battery R.F.A. / ON HIS LEAVING THE SERVICE / 7 DEC. 1908

7. GROUP WAS SOLD WITH BRITISH W.W.2. DEFENCE AND WAR MEDAL, POSSIBLE HOME GUARD SERVICE, POSSIBLE FAMILY MEMBERS.

CHARLES EDWARD SIMMS:

CAME FROM LUTTLEWORTH, LEICESTER AND ENLISTED INTO THE ROYAL ARTILLERY AT PRESTON ON 9TH JANUARY 1888 AGED 18 YEARS AND A BAKER BY TRADE. HE WAS PROMOTED BOMBARDIER IN FEB 1891, CORPL IN DEC 1891, SERGT IN MAY 1895 AND BTY SGT MAJOR OCT 1904. HE WAS DISCHARGED FROM THE REGULAR ARMY IN FEB. 1909 AND IMMEDIATELY ATTESTED INTO THE LEICESTERSHIRE ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY (TF) WHERE HE WAS IMMEDIATELY GIVEN THE RANK OF BTY SGT MAJOR. HE ATTENDED REGULAR ANNUAL TRAININGS UNTIL HE WAS MOBILIZED ON 5TH AUG 1914 AS BTY SGT MAJOR (WO II) ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY ).

HE WAS FINALLY DISCHARGED IN JULY 1917 AFTER 29 YEARS SERVICE AND AGED 42 YEARS. HAVING BEEN RECOMMENDED FOR, BUT PRESUMABLY DECLINED, A COMMISSION.

BTY SGT MAJOR SIMMS' GREAT WAR SERVICE WAS ENTIRELY IN THE UK WHICH HIS CONFIRMED BY HIS MIC WHICH REFERS ONLY TO HIS MSM HAVING BEEN AWARDED IN 1946. THERE IS NO ENTITLEMENT THEREFORE TO GREAT WAR MEDALS OTHER THAN THE SILVER WAR BADGE. WW2 SERVICE OF ANY KIND CANNOT BE CONFIRMED.

HE WAS MENTIONED IN LORD ROBERT'S DESPATCH OF 4TH SEPT 1901 AS SGT C. SIMMS, RA BUT LISTED UNDER THE MOUNTED INFANTRY SECTION. SIMMS' DCM WAS PUBLISHED IN THE LONDON GAZETTE OF 27 SEPT 1901 CONFIRMING THAT HE SERVED IN AND WON THE DCM IN THE 6TH BTN MOUNTED INFANTRY.

POSSIBLY A UNIQUE RA DCM TO THE MOUNTED INFANTRY.

MIC SHOWS WO CL II C.E. SIMMS, DCM WAS AWARDED THE MSM WITH ANNUITY IN AO 8TH JULY 1946.<BR clear=all>

Mike