Orders, Decorations and Medals

Six: Lieutenant-Colonel William Simpson, Canadian Field Artillery, late South African Constabulary
Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (1534 Corpl., S.A.C.); 1914-15 Star (Major, Can. Fd. Art.); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Col.); Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers’ Decoration, G.V.R., reverse impressed, ‘Lt. Col. W. Simpson, 11th Bde. C.F.A.’, hallmarks for Birmingham 1919, top brooch bar; Colonial Auxiliary Force Long Service, G.V.R. (Lt-Col., V.D., 11th Fld. Bde. C.A.) mounted as worn, good very fine (6) £350-400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Long Service Medals from the Collection formed by John Tamplin.

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William Simpson was born in Palmerston, Ontario, on 28 June 1880. He enlisted into the Canadian Militia in February 1900 at nearby Guelph, joining the Ontario (later 16th) Field Battery, serving until February 1901. Simpson served in the South African Constabulary during the Boer War. He took part in operations in Transvaal, Orange River Colony and the Cape Colony, 30 November 1900-21 May 1902. Returning to Canada after the war, Simpson rejoined the Militia in March 1908. In May he was appointed a Lieutenant in the 11th Battery, 1st Brigade, Canadian Artillery, which had its H.Q. at Guelph, Ontario. The 11th Battery later became the 11th (Howitzer) Battery in the 1st (Howitzer) Brigade. Promoted to Captain in June 1910, he was appointed Adjutant of the 1st (Howitzer) Brigade, May 1912-late 1914. Following the outbreak of the Great War, Simpson attested in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 5 December 1914. He served in France/Flanders, 15 September 1915-16 January 1916. He spent some time in various hospitals and convalescent homes. He was appointed Acting Lieutenant-Colonel on 12 June 1917. His name was brought to the notice of the Secretary of State for War for valuable services rendered in August 1918. Lieutenant-Colonel Simpson sailed for Canada on 24 June 1919 and was demobilised on 9 July. On 29 April 1921 Simpson was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel on the Regimental Staff of the 11th Brigade at Guelph. Simpson was awarded the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers’ Decoration (Canada Gazette 7 April 1923) and Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal (Canada Gazette 3 September 1927). Lieutenant-Colonel Simpson died at Vancouver on 13 November 1929. Sold with copied service papers and other research.