Name
John Ansell Simmonds
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
05/11/1918
29
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
40380
Lancashire Fusiliers
1st/5th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
AMPTHILL (ST. ANDREW) CHURCHYARD
Plot 1, Row BB, Grave 4.
United Kingdom
UK & Other Memorials
St Michael and All Angels Church Memorial, Watford,
St Andrew's Church Memorial, Ampthill, Bedfordshire,
The Alameda War Memorial, Ampthill, Bedfordshire
Pre War
Son of William James SIMMONDS of Watford, and Catherine Sarah (nee WIGGINS) SIMMONDS; husband of Ethel (nee FIELD) SIMMONDS of Woking, Surrey.
His parents married 1879 in the Southampton district. William died 1921 in Watford aged 60, and was buried 22 January in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Catherine died 1921 in Watford aged 61, and was buried 27 May, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
John was born 11 March 1890 in East Cowes, Isle of Wight, and baptised 2 April 1890 at the Wesleyan-Methodist Chapel, East Cowes. He attended Watford Fields School; then Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 11 January 1899 to 7 May 1902. He married 16 July 1910 at St Saviour, Hampstead, London; they had two children.
On the 1891 Census, aged 1 he lived in Wealdstone, Middx, with his parents and four siblings. On the 1901 Census, aged 11 he lived in Watford, with his parents and six siblings. On the 1911 Census, a second cook aged 22, he was stationed on SS Spheroid at Dartmouth, Devon.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Luton, Beds, and was formerly Private 17926 Bedfordshire Regiment. He was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, and died at home of sickness.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, John’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
There is a Death announcement for John in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 9 November 1918.
His brothers: Arthur died 31 August 1918; Thomas
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
