Family :

Education & Career :

Attended Weymouth College.

Attended Sherborne School (Abbeylands) September 1901-April 1906; 6th form. Took part in the 1905 Sherborne Pageant.

Qualified as a professional associate of the Surveyors' Institute; in 1911 passed his final examination as a fellow of the Surveyors' Institution, although too young to qualify formally.
1 January 1911, became a partner of the firm of Messrs. Simmons and Sons, auctioneers and estate agents of Henley, Reading and Basingstoke.

1911, appointed assistant secretary of the Royal Counties Agricultural Society, of which his father was secretary, and in 1912 was made secretary of the Basingstoke Root and Stock Show Society, on the resignation of his father after 25 years' service.

Honorary Secretary of the Berks and Oxon Chambers of Agriculture.

Assistant Secretary of Royal Counties Agricultural Society.

Service Life:

Campaigns:

• The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.

Palestine is a generic term to cover actions in the region now consisting of Sinai, Israel, Jordan, Syria and Aden and involved operations against the Turks. Once the security of the Suez Canal was assured in 1915 the focus shifted to the area now within the post 1967 borders of Israel. In 1917 there were three battles at Gaza, which enabled the capture of Jerusalem in December. In 1918 the campaign continued north into the Jordan Valley then towards Damascus. The Armistice with Turkey was signed on the 31st October 1918.

Detail :

13th November 1917, the British launched an attack with B.XXI Corps (B.75th and 52 Divisions), the Yeomanry Division and the Cavalry Brigade, up the Gaza road to Junction. After determined resistance by the Turks centred on El Maghar Ridge, a retreat started and the Turks fell back toward Junction. The B.75th Division then successfully assaulted Junction, with the aid of armoured cars, and captured it on 14th November 1917. This broke the railway connection to Jerusalem. The road connection was also severed the following day by a spirited action of the ANZAC and British cavalry, and a breech between the two Turkish Armies was achieved.

Hampshire Telegraph 7th December 1917. "Capt. Frank Wortley Simmons, Hampshire Regt., killed on November 22nd, aged 29, was the eldest son of Mr. C. Franklin Simmons, J.P., C.C., of Eastrop Fields, Basingstoke. He was educated at Sherborne School, and entered his father's profession, qualifying as a professional associate of the Surveyors' Institution. On January 1st, 1911, he became a partner on the firm of Messrs. Simmons and Sons, auctioneers and estate agents, of Henley, Reading, and Basingstoke, and the same year passed the final examination as a Fellow of the Surveyors' Institution, although too young at the time to qualify formally. In 1911 he was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Royal Counties Agricultural Society, of which his father is Secretary. He secured a commission in the Hampshire Regiment soon after war broke out, and went to India with his regiment, being promoted captain when at Quetta in September, 1915. He went to the Front early this year. His younger brother, Capt. Paul Simmons, was killed in Mesopotamia on July 24th, 1915."

The following letter from a 'Brother Officer' appeared in 'The Field': 'Sir, In your issue of December 8th last there is an obituary notice of Captain F.W. Simmons, Hampshire Regiment, giving some account of his activities in the agricultural world. Should you be able to spare the space, I would like to supplement your notice with a few words concerning his military side. As his brother officer for the last three years in India and Egypt, I was in a position, peculiarly well suited, to form some estimate of his work and character. It is difficult to conceive a more useful regimental officer. A natural power of command was united to ability and quick decision. He was beloved by his men, and I shall not forget the form in which this was expressed on one occasion. We were in bivouac, preparatory to a long and arduous march through desert country up to the front. In the cold dawn Simmons returned from down country, just as the hurry of preparation for the start began. He came striding over the hill, and as he drew near, his company recognised their leader, returning at the nick of time, and spontaneously burst into rounds of cheers. An unrehearsed effect, but I for one felt how much it meant. It takes a lot to make Englishmen so demonstrative. A few months later he fell, at the head of his men, within sight of Jerusalem.'

With thanks to F.Strauss for is work towards The War Graves Photographic Project, providing the grave K.81 [confirmed by CWGC]. The inscription reads: " GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS."

Masonic :

War Service recorded. "Died 22nd Nov 1917."
He joined McMahon Lodge No. 3262 on March 17th, 1916 whilst at Quetta, but resigned on posting 31st March 1917.

Source :

The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:

• The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• The (UK) National Archives
• Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
• ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry

Additional Source:

• Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
• Researcher : Bruce Littley