Description
Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, VR, Quartermaster Sergeant Richard Dalton Simms, 5th Lancers, Born at Curragh Army Camp, devoting his life to the Army and British Legion.
Officially engraved: “3511 Qr Mr Sgt R.D. Simms 5/Lancers”.
Awarded circa 1894, following his 21 years in the Army, he would later earn a 1914-15 Star Trio and Silver War Badge, having signed back up with the Army in 1914 and getting posted to France at 56 years old, his final accolade the British Legion’s, “Certificate of Appreciation” at the age of 81 in 1940.
His obituary in the Bucks Herald, 2nd April 1943:
“BUCKS BRITISH LEGIONS LOSS
Well known throughout the county for his interest in the work of the British Legion, Mr Richard Dalton Simms died at Ashwell Cottage, Tylers Green, on Tuesday week, at the age of 84 years old.
He had taken a leading part in the development of the Tylers Green and Penn Branch, and in 1940 received the highest distinction which British Legion Headquarters can give for Voluntary Service – A Certificate of Appreciation.
A Veteran Soldier, Mr Simms was for some time Vice Chairman of the Tylers Green and Penn Branch, and gave wholehearted assistance in secretarial and other duties.”
Richard devoted his life to the Army and after that the British Legion.
He was practically born a Soldier, when he was born at the Curragh Camp Army Base, in County Kildare, Ireland, where his father William was stationed with his mother Mary.
With his fathers retirement the the family settled down in Bridgnorth, where his father was a local Instructor of Musketry.
Service: United Kingdom, 11th Feb 1873 – 19th Nov 1888
India, 20th Nov 1888 – 23rd Jan 1894
Home, 25th Jan 1894 – 10th Feb 1894
At the young age of 14, about as young as you could legally enlist in the British Army, Richard first signed on with his Father’s old unit, the 76th Regiment of Foot as a Boy, on 11th February 1873, becoming “Lad” on 11th December 1873.
By 11th December 1875 he finally became of age and was appointed as Private.
Serving in England for the next 15 years with the regiment, he would become, just like his Father, Sergeant Instructor of Musketry during 1881.
He would then chose to transfer over to the 5th Lancers on 29th March 1887.
With his transfer he was finally posted overseas, landing in India as Quarter Sergeant and also Orderly Room Sergeant to the 5th Lancers, having arrived on 20th November 1888.
After 5 years in India, he came home on 10th February 1894 and was discharged.
However he was not even close to done with his association with the Army, which would last almost until his death.
With the outbreak of World War 1, a 55 year old Richard naturally signed up again with the British Army, joining the Army Service Corps on 18th November 1914.
Seeing the following service:
“Home, 18th Nov 1914 – 28th May 1915
British Expeditionary Force France, 29th May 1915 – 28th March 1916
Home, 29th March 1916 – 11th August 1916.”
For his services he would earn the 1914-15 Star Trio and a Silver War Badge, having been discharged unfit.
