Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Patrick Joseph Simpson was born on 23 September 1885 at Temuka, the only son of Michael and Ann (Annie, née McDade) Simpson. He had one older sister and three younger sisters. He was probably educated at St Joseph’s School, Temuka, with his sisters. Sadly, his older sister Ellen, died in 1890 at the age of six years. She was buried at Temuka. His father Michael died on 1 December 1893 at Arowhenua and was buried with Ellen. This left Ann widowed with four young children. His sister Annie, who was a much-loved teacher at Temuka, died in July 1921 after a short illness. She was buried with Ellen and their father. Patrick appears to have left the Temuka district by 1911, to work as a labourer further north.

He attested at Gisborne on 30 November 1917. A labourer at Otoke, Bay of Plenty, single and Roman Catholic, he named his mother as next-of-kin – Mrs A. Simpson, Hayhurst Street, Temuka. Private P. J. Simpson embarked with the 42nd Reinforcements, departing for London, England, per the “Tofua” on 1 August 1918. Rifleman P. J. Simpson, of Temuka returned to New Zealand by the “Hororata” which was due at Wellington on or about 30 September 1919. He actually arrived on 20 September and reached Temuka by train on the afternoon of 22 September. There the four Temuka men were met by a large crowd and the Temuka Municipal Brass Band played “Home Again”. In welcoming the men at the Post Office, the Mayor said they were very glad to have them back. “They had been away a very long time, . . . . . . They went away to help to win the war and the war had been won. These soldiers were deserving of all honour.” Hearty cheers were given for the men and appreciation of the kindly welcome extended to them was expressed. Discharged on 21 October 1919, he was awarded the British War Medal.

Patrick returned to his labouring work and by 1922 was living at Ohura, where he remained until his death. Patrick Joseph Simpson died on 3 November 1958 at Ohura, aged 73 years., and was buried in the RSA block of Ohura Cemetery. The Public Trust administered his estate - £88 in cash and £79 in his National Savings Account. Patrick’s mother, Annie Simpson remained in Temuka until her death on 31 August 1942. Two daughters lived with her, Mary until her marriage in 1921 and Margaret until her mother’s death and after. Mr Joseph Simpson also lived with her for many years. He is believed to be a brother of Michael and was very active in St Joseph’s Church. When Joseph died in 1937, the chief mourners were Mrs M. Simpson and Mrs Feely (Christchurch), Mrs Feely being née Mary Simpson. Joseph was buried with Michael at Temuka. Mary Simpson was the only one of the family to marry. She and James Feely, who lived in Temuka before moving to Christchurch in 1930s, had a son and two daughters. Mary died in 19177 and was buried in Christchurch with her sister Margaret who had died in 1969.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [18 August 2022]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [August 2022]; Timaru Herald, 28 August 1919, 15 July 1921, 3 March 1937, 1 September 1942, Temuka Leader, 30 August 1919, 23 September 1919, 14 July 1921 (Papers Past) [August 2022; 11, 21 & 24 September 2022]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [September 2022]; Ohura Cemetery burial record (Ruapehu District Council) [09 September 2022]; Probate record (Archives NZ) [24 September 2022]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

No documents available. 

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

Not assigned.