b. 29/09/1898 Wimbledon, Surrey. d. 14/10/1969 Glastonbury, Somerset.
DATE OF AM ACTION: 03/01/1916 St Omer, France.
Alfred E Simms AM
Alfred was the fourth of five children of Arthur John and Rose Simms (nee Daubney). He was baptised at Holy Trinity and St Peter, Wimbledon on 18th November 1898. His family moved to Luton when he was 10. He was just 17 at the time of his AM action, and was presented with his medal by King George V at Buckingham Palace on 19th December 1917. On 5th February 1928, he married Doris Lizzie Eugenie Smith in Watford, and they had three sons. They later divorced and he re-married and had a daughter. He became a founder member of the Albert Medal Association in 1966. He died on 14th October 1969 aged 71 in Glastonbury, Somerset.
AM CITATION:
On the 3rd January, 1916, at about 3 p.m., a fire broke out inside, a large bomb store belonging to the Royal Flying Corps, which contained nearly 2,000 high explosive bombs, some of which had very large charges, and a number of incendiary bombs which were burning freely. Major Newall at once took all necessary precautions, and then, assisted by Air Mechanic Simms, poured water into the shed through a hole made by the flames. He sent for the key of the store, and with Corporal Hearne, Harwood and Simms entered the building and succeeded in putting out the flames. The wooden cases containing the bombs were burnt, and some of them were charred to a cinder.
BURIAL LOCATION: WELLS ROAD CEMETERY, GLASTONBURY, SOMERSET.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
Acknowledgements:
Allan Stanistreet – Image of Alfred Simms AM and his grave in Wells Road Cemetery, Glastonbury, Somerset.
Dix Noonan Webb – Image of the Simms AM medal group.