Frank Simpson was born circa 1888 in Stratton, Gloucestershire, the son of Henry Rudolph. & Lucy Ann Simpson,(nee Wilson) they had married in the June Quarter of 1882 (Vol. 3b Page 266) in Wellingborough, which spans the boundaries of the counties of Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire.
Frank appears for the first time on a census in 1891 living in Gloucester Road, Stratton, Gloucestershire, his father Henry R., 28 and a Groom was head of the household, he had been born in Ruabon*, Denbighshire. His wife Lucy A., 31 had been born in Brickworth, Northamptonshire. Their children were Lucy A., 7 who had been born in Rowton, Cheshire, Mary, 6 born in Wellingborough, , Northamptonshire, Be, 4, born in East Haddon, , Northamptonshire, Frank, 2 and Elizabeth, both born in Stratton, Gloucestershire.
* Henry Rudolph Simpson’s father, Henry Simpson had been Master of the Horse and subsequently Stud Groom at Wynnstay, Ruabon, Denbighshire, from at least 1851 to, I believe, 1885 , when he died.. His will – SIMPSON, Henry – Personal Estate £2,189 19s 8d. 3rd December, 1885. The Will of Henry SIMPSON late of Wynnstay in the Parish of Ruabon in the County of Denbigh. Groom who died 13th September 1885 at Wynnstay was proved at the Principal Registry by Anonetti Paulina SIMPSON** of 8, Albert-street in the Town of Wrexham in the said County Widow the Relict and Emma SIMPSON in the Town of Salford in the County of Lancaster Spinster the Daughter two of the Executors.
** Anonetti Paulina Simpson was Henry Rudolph Simpson’s mother and had been born in Copenhagen, Denmark according to the census of 1871, she was a British Subject.
The 1901 census shows the family had moved to 171, Gloster Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, Henry R. Sipson, 38 and still a Groom, but his wife Lucy A., was a Laundress (Wash) and the family had increased, daughter Lucy A.. 17 had “No occupation” and sh was said to have been born in Chrsitleton, Nr. Chester. Son Ben, 14 was a Tool Boy for the Navvys. The rest of the children were “attending School”, they were Frank,12, Elizabeth, 10, Alfred, 7 and Antionette E. 3.
Frank, 22, single and a Groom had moved to live in Cowley Stables*, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, on the 1911 census and was living with 5 other Servants, 3 Grooms,1 Odd Man, 1 Chauffer, 1 Hall Boy. *Was this attached to Cowley Manor, now a Hotel, GL53 9NL, belonging to the HORLICK Family, it seems a huge estate, with multiple buildings belonging to the Manor.
By 1913, he had met and married Annie Partin (Parten) at St. Mark’s Church, Lache cum Saltney (Cheshire West CE35/1/250)
I cannot find any Army Service Records for Frank, they may have been los in the bombings of the 2nd World War in London.
But Frank Simpson in the UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 tells us that he was born in Stratton, Gloucestershire, he resided in Saltney, Cheshire and enlisted in Chester, he was formerly 50919, R.W. Fus.
Frank Simpson in the British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920, tells us more about Frank, he had been in 3 Regiments,the Royal Welsh (Welch) Fusiliers, the Manchester Regiment and the Border Regiment, with 3 different Regimental Numbers.
Frank Simpson in the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 tell us that the Sole Legatee was his widow Annie SIMPSON paid £2. 3s 2d on the 6th November 1917 and his War Gratuity of £4. 0s 0d on the 28th October 1919.
His name was put forward to make sure he was remembered.