Herbert Charles Sims (1881–1948)

Corporal

Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) 14003 10th & 12th Battalions
Royal Engineers WR30209 & 307917 328 Quarrying Corps

Courtesy Sue Worboys

Photo of Herbert Sims

Biography
Born in 1881, Herbert married Lily Winson in 1900 at Belper Baptist Chapel – he was a gritstone quarryman. Aged thirty-three, he attested at Derby in September 1914. His first posting was to the Sherwood Foresters. During 1915 he was late, or missed, one or two roll calls and on each occasion he was confined to barracks for a few days. He embarked to France on SS Empress Queen in August 1915. In May 1917 he was transferred to the Royal Engineers Quarrying Corps as a Sapper. He was injured on 24th November 1918 and an enquiry had to be made. The injury to his right hand was over the base of the thumb and the back of his hand. It was recorded as being “less severe but troublesome to heal”. The result of the enquiry was:

This NCO was preparing a large hole in the macadam ready for firing when a piece of stone struck the knuckle of his right hand, date of accident 24 November 1918, no Court of Inquiry held, no one to blame.

In 1911 Herbert and Lily's son, Joseph Victor Sims aged 5, was a "nurse child" with Samuel and Mary Ann Allen and family living at Chapel Lane, Crich.

Medal Index Card
He was awarded the Victory, British War and 15 Star Medals.
He entered France 30/08/15
Acting Corporal in the Notts & Derby Regt.
Corporal in the RE.

Army Service Record
He attested 01/09/14 at Derby, aged 33 years and 122 days, a married quarryman of Crich.His height was 5ft 7in; weight 118lb; he had blue eyes and dark hair; was C of E. The next of kin was his wife Lily Sims (née Winson) whome he married 09/09/1900 at Belper Baptist Chapel. Their children were Gertrude Anne Sims (born 03/11/00) and Joseph Victor Sims (born 17/09/05)
He was injured on 24 November 1918 and an enquiry made. Injury to right hand over the base of thumb and back of hand. Less severe but will be troublesome to heal. This NCO was preparing a large hole in the macadam hole ready for firing when a piece of stone struck the knuckle of his right hand, date of accident 24 November 1918, no Court of Inquiry held, no one to blame.
01/09/14 Attested
13/09/14 Posted to Notts & Derby 10th
11/01/15 absent from 8.30 am 11/1/15 until 6.30am 12/1/15 awarded 3 days confined to baracks and deprivation 2 days pay
30/01/15 Transferred to Notts & Derby 12th .
29/08/15 Southamption to Havre on ss Empress Queen
19/05/16 Attached for duty in the field
20/07/16 Rejoined Batallion
02/10/16 I CT right knee admitted
04/10/16 To duty
21/04/17 To transportation Depot pending transfer to Railway Corp
05/05/17 Transferred to Royal Engineers and posted to 328 Quarrying Corp as a Sapper; quarryman proficient
04/08/17 Transferred to R.E (328th Qryng Co R.E.) with effect from 05/05/17 for the benefit of the service at R.E. rates of pay, new alotted number 307917
01/10/17 Appointed paid Lance Corporal
19/10/17 Leave to the UK
01/01/18 Raised to skilled rate of E.P.
27/05/18 Appointed acting Corporal unpaid
20/07/18 Transferred as Corporal
25/07/18 Raised to Superior rate of pay
19/09/18 to 03/10/18 Leave to the UK
24/11/18 Injured whilst on duty
02/12/18 Excused duty
04/03/19 Demobbed
On the original Roll of Honour Herbert is was listed as a Private although the records show him as Lance Corporal/Corporal.

Photos courtesy Sue Worboys

photo of Herbert Sims with fellow soldiers in Ww1

Herbert Sims second left on the Back row

Herbert Sims with his Unit in WW1

Herbert with the Royal Engineers

Patriotic postard from WW1

Patriotic postcard sent from Herbert

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Herbert Sims Head 19 Gritstone quarryman London,Poplar
Lily Sims wife 23   Wingfield
Gertrude A Sims daughter 5 mo   Crich

RG13 piece 3231 folio 63 page 12

1911: Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Charles Herbert Sims Head 29 Gritstone quarryman Crich
Lily Sims wife 33   Crich
Gertrude Annie Sims daughter 10   Crich

RG14PN20984 RG78PN1251 RD436 SD4 ED13 SN91

1918 Voters List
Herbert Sims, Crich, absent on military service.

1939 Register: Thoresby Road, Mansfield Woodhouse
Charles H Sims b.1 May 1881; building home handiman
Lily Sims b.28 August 1877