WILLIAM FREDERICK SIMPSON

Service Number: 3620

Rank: Private

Unit: 32nd Battalion

William Simpson was born on the 9 July 1895 in North Adelaide. He attended North Adelaide Public School and Prince Alfred College and was a station hand when he enlisted on the 24th January 1916. After he enlisted he was eventually assigned to the 8th Reinforcements of 32nd Battalion, embarking from Adelaide on 12th August 1916 aboard HMAT Ballarat bound for Devonport, England. Following training in England he joined his Battalion on the Western Front, near Fricourt, France in early February 1917. He remained with the unit in the field apart from a few weeks leave in England in late January 1918. This would have meant that he would have seen action in many of the battles fought by Australians in the next 18 months including the Battle of Polygon Wood in September 1917. Pte Simpson was wounded in action near Morlancourt, France on July 29th 1918, dying of these wounds 3 days later, and was buried in the Vignacourt British Cemetery. He was 23 years old.  Rest in Peace William.