SIMPSON, Frederick Henry Alfred

Frederick was born in the Newcastle district NSW to Frederick and Ellen Simpson. He served four years with the Cadets before World War 1.  Frederick was employed at the Delungra Railway Station when, at the age of thirty eight years, he enlisted at Inverell in January 1917. 

He was a married man with several children and agreed that three fifths of his pay would be allocated to his family. Prior to his departure for War service a Farewell function was organised at Delungra where Frederick was presented with a silver matchbox and two pairs of knitted socks from the Ladies Sock Committee.

Frederick joined the 56th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement and three weeks after enlisting, left Australia on the ship HMAT A68 Anchises. He arrived in England in March 1918 and was sent to France on 14 April.  Just ten days later he was gassed. 

On 1 September 1918 he was listed as missing in action, until a court of inquiry confirmed he was killed in action at Peronne, France. Arthur has no known grave.  His name is recorded at the Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, France. His personal effects were returned to his wife Ethel at Delungra and included a wallet, 2 Rosaries, silver match box, wrist disc, photos and letters.

Frederick’s name is recorded on the Inverell and Delungra Honor Rolls and on the new Memorial gates at Anzac Park, Delungra.