Joseph Alfred Simpson of Bramcote Street, Radford, Nottingham, was a 40 year old, married man, with two children, when he was called up for service 6 February1917. Initially he was posted to the Army Reserve but was remobilized on 1 March 1917 and posted to the Sherwood Foresters 5 days later. Posted to the BEF 26 July 1917 he served abroad only until 20 October 1917 and was discharged from the Army on the 27 December that year as "No longer fit for War Service". His lack of fitness was probably the result of being gassed in a mustard gas attack at Passchendaele, 3 months previously. Subsequently he was awarded the War Badge; the British War Medal; the Victory Medal and the King's Certificate. Despite suffering from the effects of gassing, he survived until 1945
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His Wife's Parting Gift |
His Nurse's Parting Gift |
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When he was called up someone, possibly Edith his wife, gave him a good luck charm that carries the a horseshoe symbol and the words "Good Luck" on the front and the fylfot and 7 pointed star symbols of good luck on the back. Lucky he was to survive the war even if not wholly fit afterwards but whether the charm had anything to do with it is anybody's guess..
