John Henry SIMPSON

Regimental number23625
Date of birth3 May 1894
Place of birthCanterbury
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationCheesemaker
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation21.8
Height5' 10"
Weight140 lbs
Next of kinFather, William Simpson, Edendale, Southland
Previous military serviceServed in the 14th Regiment, Territorial Force; still serving at time of NZEF enlistment.
Enlistment date10 February 1916
Rank on embarkationPrivate
Unit nameNew Zealand Expeditionary Force, 13th Reinforcements, Otago Infantry Battalion, D Company
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Wellington on 27 May 1916
Final rankPrivate
Final unit1st Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment
FateCommenced return to New Zealand 18 April 1919
Discharge date26 June 1919
Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Wellington, 29 May 1916; disembarked Devonport, England, 26 July 1916; posted to 2nd Bn, Otago Infantry Regiment, Sling Camp, 29 July 1916.

Proceeded overseas to France, 12 August 1916; joined 1st Bn, Otago Infantry Regiment, in the field, 28 August 1916, and posted to 14th Company.

Detached to 2nd NZ Light Trench Mortar Battery, 5 Juner 1917; rejoined Bn from detachoment, 13 June 1917.

Admitted to 3rd NZ Field Ambulance, 15 August 1917 (influenza); rejoined Bn, in the field, 21 August 1917.

On leave to United Kingdom, 18 September 1917; rejoined Bn from leave, 6 October 1917.

Admitted to 4th NZ Field Ambulance, 19 January 1918 (bronchitis); transferred to 63rd Casualty Clearing Station, 23 January 1918; rejoined Bn, in the field, 6 March 1918.

Admitted to 3rd NZ Field Ambulance, 12 May 1918; rejoined Bn, 25 May 1918.

Admitted to 2nd NZ Field Ambulance, 20 August 1918, and transferred to 29th Casualty Clearing Station (influenza), and then by Ambulance Train No 5, and admitted to 2nd Canadian General Hospital, Le Treport, 20 August 1918. Transferred to No 3 Convalescent Depot, Le Treport, 24 August 1918; to No 13 Convalescent Depot, Le Treport, 28 August 1918; to No 4 Convalescent Depot, Havre, 31 August 1918; to Base Depot, Etaples, 11 September 1918; rejoined Bn, in the field, 24 September 1918.

Detached to United Kingdom, 14 January 1919.

Commenced return to New Zealand on board HMNZT 'Tofua', 18 April 1919; discharged (termination of period of engagement), 26 June 1919.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death27 July 1971 Christchurch
Age at death77
SourcesNominal Roll Vol. 2: Roll 33, p. 15
Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805