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Victorian Naval Forces Muster

for the Colony of Victoria. (muster range 1853-1910)*

Profile

Last Name:Simper
First Name:James/John Edmeade
Rank:Able Seaman
Birth Date: 14-08-1868
Branch:Victorian Navy

James/John Edmeade Simper

aka Jack Symper

Able Seaman 

As far as I know the family knew Simper as John Edmeade Simper. He was married in Sydney in 1892 to Emma Orchard. They had 2 boys while at Port Melbourne. After John/James/Jack’s death the family moved back to Sydney. Both boys served in WW1, the eldest was also in the militia prior to WW1 & 2.  I don’t have all the details but John E Simper’s birth was registered in Woolwich, Kent England in 1868.

Details supplied by Ian Gibson


 


The Argus, 14 November 1898


"It was one of these trips that Symper lost his life, the chap I mentioned before who had been on the "Cordelia". It was during the daytime, a seaboat was called away it was a ten oar cutter and Symper was one of its crew. As the boat is still in the davits when the crew man it, then it is lowered into the water. When he was getting into the boat Symper fell overboard and went down like a stone. A mark buoy was dropped and the ship (Cerberus) stopped. As Symper didn't come to the surface, a diver was sent down but couldn't find him. His body was never recovered, why he sank like a stone and didn't come up again was a mystery to us all. He hadn't been long married. The death of Symper cast a gloom over the ship for the rest of the trip."

Under Steam, Part II, James Condor, Unpublished Manuscript made available by author James Bryance Condor's grand daughter Betty Cromb.


 

"James Simper, a blue-jacket, was drowned on Friday through a boat capsizing. He came from the Royal Navy to the Cerberus. He leaves a wife and two children, who will be entitled to Compensation from the Government." Portland Guardian, 14 November 1898


 

Died: about 11-11-1898 Church of England

source:
Victorian Navy Monument, Williamstown Cemetery
 
Erected by the Officers, Petty Officers and Men of the Permanent Naval Force of Victoria
 
In Memory of their Deceased Comrades
 
Large Monument surmounted by Large Anchor

courtesy of Helen Harris, OAM


Download James Simper's Certificate of Service 298 kb.


* 1853 is given as the commencement date for the Victorian Navy as this is the year that Commander Lockyer (RN) went to Britain to superintend the building of HMCS Victoria.
Although the Victorian Navy ended in 1901 the career of Cerbeus etc continued. In 1910 the new ships started arriving & manning levels increased.

Information & photographs of men who served in the Victorian Naval Forces is eagerly sought. Please contact the webmaster.
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