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Auction: 20003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 462

Seven: Captain B. H. Simpson, Royal Marines, later Major, King's African Rifles and Southern Rhodesia Civil Service

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France & Germany; Africa Star, clasp, N. Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Naval General Service 1910-62, 1 clasp, Malaya (Capt. B. H. Simpson. R.M.), mounted as worn, good very fine (7)

The best biography is offered in The Globe & Laurel, November/December 1999:

'Brian Henry Simpson, who died on 7 August, had intended to follow a career in agriculture and had been accepted by St John's College, Oxford to read that subject but the outbreak of WW2 changed his life. Given a Temporary Commission in the Corps in the Autumn of 1939, he transferred to a Regular Commission, joining the January 1940 batch for initial training. This was followed by three years as aSubaltern in HMS Nelson. A series of appointments in the UK then followed until he joined 40 Commando in Northern Malaya in early 1950.

Although batch-mates our paths seldom crossed after initial training but we came to know each other again when we both opted for secondment to Nyasaland Battalions of the King's African Rifles who had recently been transferred to the newly formed Army of the Central African Federation. In 1955 he went to the 2nd Battalion, then in Northern Rhodesia, as a Temporary Major and I followed a year later to the 1st Battalion, then in Nyasaland. Although we never met each other in person during our time in this newly created multi-racial Army we corresponded frequently and established a warm bond of friendship in our hope that this new creation would succeed. Brian retired from the Corps in 1958,at the end of his tour with 2KAR but then returned to Central Africa to join the Southern Rhodesia Civil Serivce.

My wife and I have happy memories of an overnight stay with them, then the managed of an African township outside Salisbury, on our way home at the end of my secondment a year later. He later became Private Secretary to Sir Edgar Whitehead, the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia. Sadly though, Sir Edgar's Government had been replaced by one of more right wing view, his and my hopes that the new Federation would become a strong multi-racial society started to crumble and he foresaw its break-up, followed in due course by moves towards the total independence from the British Crown. Brian felt that this was no country for him and he returned to the UK. On his return he set about finding employment in agriculture, the activity he was forced to abandon in 1939, and after training in accountancy, he had many happy years as the accountant of a largish farming company in Gloucestershire supported by his wife Elizabeth whom he had married in 1975.

Those who knew him in later years recognised him as a man of great kindness who had a deep understanding of the needs of other. He worked tirelessly and cheerfully to help those around him and was greatly loved by his many friends.'

Sold together with a fine original archive comprising:

(i)
A large bound album housing a plethora of original letters, passes, cards and permits including Military Driver's Licence, letter confirming transfer of £10,000 in Algerian Francs whilst on Nelson in December 1942, Over-Seas League Membership cards, Naval Identity Card.

(ii)
An array of photographs, of life at sea and in land operations, taken by the recipient.

(iii)
Royal Marines Rifle Association bronze medal for 'Browndown 1940', the reverse engraved '2nd L.M.G. 2nd Lt. B. H. Simpson', with tow riband bars.

(iv)Original Commissioning Document, dated 21 May 1940, together with 'Crossing the Line' Certificate aboard Nelson, 22 June 1942.

(v)
An assortment of wallets, buttons and related ephemera.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£600

Starting price
£350