Thomas Leigh SIMPSON

Regimental number948
Date of birth1895
Place of birthHamilton, Victoria
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationElectrical engineer
AddressClifton, Hamilton, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation19
Next of kinFather, A J Simpson, Clifton, Hamilton, Victoria
Enlistment date5 January 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance, 1st Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number26/41/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A46 Clan Mcgillivray on 2 February 1915
Regimental number from Nominal RollComissioned
Rank from Nominal RollLieutenant
Unit from Nominal Roll68th Royal Flying Corps
FateReturned to Australia 14 August 1918
Medals

DFC

'An officer of exceptional ability, courage, and determination. He has directed our artillery fire on forty occasions on hostile batteries, and has taken over 500 photographs of enemy positions. He was attacked by six triplanes on one occasion whilst engaged in photographing the enemy positions, and managed to hold his own until our scouts drove them off. Later, he was again attacked by a large enemy formation, but he skilfully out-manoeuvred them. Recently, whilst on patrol, he located eight enemy batteries, upon which he directed a concentration of our artillery fire. On this occasion he was wounded by anti-aircraft fire whilst flying low.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 191
Date: 12 December 1918

Croix de Guerre (Belgium)


Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 185
Date: 27 November 1918

Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Medals: Distinguished Flying Cross, Croix de Guerre, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death1960
Age at death65
Place of burialDunkeld Cemetery, Victoria