William Henry Simmonds

Private W.H. Simmonds was tried with desertion at a Field General Court Martial held on 19 November 1916 at Poperinghe. The court consisted of a President and three members.

President:	Lieutenant-Colonel W.F. Soames (10^th R.W. Kents).
Members:	Captain E.G. Bowden (11^th Queens).
	2^nd Lieutenant O.F. Dowson (47^th Div).
	2^nd Lieutenant G.G. Samuel (10^th R.W. Kents).

Pleaded:

Not Guilty.

Verdict:

Guilty.

The accused had several previous convictions which were read to the courts-martial before sentence was passed.

Date	Offence	Punishment
14/4/1916	Overstayed his leave by 5 hours	10 days CB & loss of 10 days pay.
28/4/1916	Dirty on parade	3 days CB.
3/5/1916	Deserted	5 years Penal Servitude (commuted to 90 days FP).

Sentence:

Death by Shooting.

Executed:

1 December 1916 at 7 am.

William Simmonds is buried in Poperinghe New Military Cemetery, Grave Reference II.E.9.