Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War C.M.G., D.S.O. group awarded to Colonel W.G. Simpson, Commanding 24th London Regiment (The Queen's), late Royal Marines

ORDER OF ST. MICHAEL AND ST. GEORGE, C.M.G., neck badge in silver-gilt and enamels, officially converted from a breast badge; DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER, G.V.R; CHINA 1900, no clasp (Lieut., R.M.L.I., H.M.S. Arethusa); 1914-15 STAR (Lt. Col., 24/Lond. R.); BRITISH WAR AND VICTORY MEDALS (Col.); DEFENCE MEDAL; CORONATION 1911; JUBILEE 1935; CORONATION 1937; EFFICIENCY DECORATION, Territorial, G.V.R., these last ten mounted on a contemporary wearing bar, Portugal, MILITARY ORDER OF ST. BENITO D'AVIZ, 2nd class neck badge and breast star in silver, gilt and enamels, the central cross on the star in gold and enamel, this chipped, by Da Costa of Lisbon, one point of star neatly repaired; United States of America, MILITARY ORDER OF THE DRAGON (Capt. William G. Simpson, Royal Marines No. 1227) complete with Pagoda suspension bar and original ribbon, unless otherwise described, very fine or better (14)

William George Simpson was born on 29 June 1876, the son of the late Colonel S. Simpson, R.A. He joined the Royal Marine Light Infantry on 1 February 1895, and was promoted Lieutenant on 1 January 1896. He served during the campaign in China 1900, including the operations in North China. He was the only R.M. Officer aboard H.M.S. Arethusa. He was appointed Instructor of Musketry, Hong Kong, 7 April 1902; Adjutant, 1st Volunteer Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment, 1906 - August 1908, on retirement being appointed to the Reserve of Officers, R.M. until 17 January 1911. He was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel, 24th County of London Battalion, the London Regiment (The Queen's) on 12 December 1910, and commanded the regiment in France until March 1916. From 10 June until 14th August 1915, he was acting Brigade Commander of the 142nd Infantry Brigade. Simpson was mentioned in despatches for the first time on 1 January 1916, and in that year received the C.M.G. He received three further mentions on 4 January 1917, 24 December 1917, and 25 May 1918. The award of the D.S.O. for services in connection with military operations in France and Flanders was included in the King's Birthday Honours list of 1918. He received the Portuguese Order of St. Benito D'Aviz in 1919. On 31 July 1920, Simpson was made Honorary Colonel of the 1/7th (Southwark) Battalion, The Queen's Regiment, and held that appointment for the next 26 years. Colonel Simpson died on 10 June 1961, in his 85th year.