George Arthur Simmons

1914-1915 Star, Victory Medal, British War Medal

Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians)

WW I

George Arthur Simmons was born 29 February 1896 to Arthur and Sarah Simmons and farmed with his father, in the Morden area, until enlistment. George served with the 18th Manitoba Mounted Rifles for 3 years prior to his enlistment for war service. The 18th Manitoba Mounted Rifles headquarters was in Winnipeg and they had squadrons in Dominion City, Portage la Prairie and Morden, Manitoba. At the start of WW I, the 18th Mounted Rifles was one of six cavalry regiments from across western Canada to provide detachments to help form the 6th Battalion for service in the first contingent of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). The detachments gathered at Valcartier, Quebec in preparation for departure for Europe. Private Simmons signed his attestation papers 24 September 1914 in Valcartier, Quebec and was placed with the 6th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, H Company of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). His unit departed for the United Kingdom 3 October 1914.

In September 1914, the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians), (LSH) (RC), mobilized for war. They embarked for England 3 October 1914, as part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. On 5 May 1915 they disembarked for France with the Canadian Cavalry Brigade and initially fought dismounted in an infantry role with the 1st Canadian Division. Private Simmons was transferred to the LSH (RC) 8 June 1915 at South Hampton, UK and joined the unit in France on the 14th. Shortly thereafter, he was admitted to the 1st Canadian Field Ambulance with influenza. He was returned to duty 30 June.

The Morden Times 8 August 1915

MORDEN LAD KILLED

George Simmons Dies of Wounds Received on Field of Action

Morden, Man. Aug 8 – Word was received here from the war office by Arthur Simmons that his son, George, had died of wounds which he received while fighting in France. Although Morden has proved to be one of the leading rural country recruiting points, this is the first report received here to the effect that a Morden boy had met his death at the hands of the Huns. George A. Simmons left Morden with the first contingent and although with the 6th Battalion for some time, was a member of the Strathcona’s Horse when he was injured in an artillery attack.

Private Simmons “Died of wounds received in action” 26 July 1915, at No. 3 Canadian Field Ambulance. He was 19 years old. His medals were awarded posthumously and his mother was awarded the Memorial “Silver” Cross also known as the Cross of Sacrifice.

Private George Arthur Simmons is buried at Trois Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerck, France.

Information from, Library and Archives Canada, Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) History and WW I casualty list, Morden Times.