10th August 1917

19-year-old Private Hubert Simpson was killed in action on 10th August 1917, serving with the 11th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He was born in Birmingham in 1898, and was the youngest of the two children born to parents Joseph (a machinist) and Emily (née Davis) who had married at St Paul’s Church, Birmingham in October 1886. Their eldest child, Clarisse, was born in 1895.

Joseph Simpson died in 1900, aged 37, leaving his widow, Emily, with two children under five years old. Between 1901-1911, she became a foster mother at Marston Green Cottage Homes, and is recorded as living there with her two children in 1911. Hubert attended Five Ways Grammar School before going on to become a clerk with the Law Union and Rock Insurance Company, Colmore Row, Birmingham. His sister, Clarisse, also became a clerk, working in a dress-making establishment.

Hubert was called up when he reached the age of 18, attesting on 2nd June 1916 before being mobilised on 26th July. His next-of-kin was given as his mother, Emily, with an address of Primrose Cottages, Marston Green. He went to the Front in May 1917.

Hubert is buried at Voormezeele Enclosure No. 3, Belgium, and is also commemorated on Bickenhill War Memorial.

If you have any further information, please let us know.

Tracey
Heritage & Local Studies Librarian

tel.: 0121 704 6977
email: heritage@solihull.gov.uk