Corps of Military Police

Soldier Details:

Surname:	Simmonds
Initials:	H.
Rank:	Sergeant
Army No.:	7686786
Notes:	CMP. 108 Pro Coy. 20/4/45 Rethem. Sgt Simmonds killed in accident whilst clearing traffic. 108 Pro Coy War Diary WO 171/7820. Casualty List 1750, Western Europe, Died Result of Accident, 20/4/1945. Inscription on gravestone: Your memory to me is a treasure, your loss my life's regret. Info from the Croydon Roll of Honour Book. Born Battersea 30/3/1915, address: 171 Silverleich Road, educated at Winterbourne school, occupation printing machine manager. Served in War Reserve Police, Norbury, 3/9/1939 to 3/1940, 108 Pro Coy, awarded the French Croix de Guerre. Henry Simmonds.

Decorations/Medals/Awards (1)

1. Decoration:   French Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star

Gazette Date: 1944-12-01

Gazette Issue: WO 373

Gazette Page: 186

Citation:   Normandy. Citation for Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star: The above NCO with his section of Military Police was detailed under a Provost Officer, for duty with the 4th Armd Bde when that Bde had crossed the ORNE and was pushing south towards FALAISE. During this period when his men were for the first time serving under dangerous conditions, he continued to visit and encourage them. One of the NCO's was posted at a cross roads which was subjected to more frequent shelling and mortaring than other points.. He repeatedly visited his NCO and eventually returned to the point and remained there until orders were given for the pointsmen to be withdrawn Later Sjt SIMMONDS was attached with his section of Police to a Bde of 15 (S) Div when it was about to cross the river SEINE at LE MUIDS. It was necessary to post two Military Policemen at different points on the banks of the river on the night before the crossing was made. One of these points had been under sporadic enemy small-arms fire during the preceding day, and both points were isolated for several hours during the night. Sjt SIMMONDS again displayed a keen sense of duty in visiting these pointment, constantly until it was evident that the positions had ceased to be dangerous. Circumstances had placed this NCO on some of the most dangerous assignements which the company have had to perform and he has on all these occasions shown a devotion to duty which were of the highest traditions of the Corps of Military Police, and which has proved an excellent example to those serving under him. DAPM 108 Pro Coy. Lieut-Gen Comd 12 Corps. National Archive WO 373/186

Casualty Details:

Date Killed:	20th April 1945
Company:	108 PRO COY
Cemetery:	BECKLINGEN WAR CEMETERY   GERMANY
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