Special Collections

Sold on 2 April 2004

1 part

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The Collection of Medals to Great War Casualties formed by Tim Parsons

Tim Parsons

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Lot

№ 218

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2 April 2004

Hammer Price:
£580

Five: Private W. Simpson, Seaforth Highlanders, who was killed in action at Loos on 25 September 1915

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (6611 Pte., 2 Sea. Highrs.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (6611 Pte., Seaforth Highrs.); 1914-15 Star (S-1526 Pte., Sea. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (S-1526 Pte., Sea. Highrs.), with related Memorial Plaque (William Simpson), good very fine and better (6) £400-450

William Simpson was born at Leith, Midlothian and enlisted in the Seaforth Highlanders at Edinburgh in June 1899, aged 19 years. Posted to the 2nd Battalion, he witnessed active service out in South Africa between June 1900 and November 1902, and was transferred to the Army Reserve in June 1907 after additional overseas service in the 1st Battalion in the East Indies. He was formally discharged in June 1911.

Rejoining his old regiment on the outbreak of hostilities, Simpson went out to France and was killed in action at Loos on 25 September 1915, while serving in the 7th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders. He had, in the interim, been attached to units in the Highland Light Infantry and Royal Scots Fusiliers; he is commemorated on the Loos Memorial in the Pas de Calais.