Alan Phillip Henry Simons (1920 - 1995)

Born 4 Nov 1920 in Abbotsford, Victoria, Australia

Ancestors

Husband of Jean Ann (Melville) Simons — married 25 Jul 1942 in Abbotsford, Victoria, Australia

Descendants

Died 29 Jun 1995 at age 74 in Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Bruce Simons [send private message] and Anita Hosking [send private message]

Biography

Alan Simons was born in Victoria, Australia

This profile is part of the Simmons Name Study.

Alan Philip (also Phillip) Henry Simons, son of Edwin Phillip Simons (1896-1961) and Ivy Violet (Welsh) Simons (1893-1971), was born on 4 November 1920 at 143 Yarra Street, Abbotsford, Collingwood, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.^[1]

Alan went to Victoria Park Primary School Abbotsford No. 2957 (demolished c.1997) in Abbott Street opposite Victoria Park, the original home of the Collingwood Football Club. In 1933, he and his brother Mervyn, were part of the 1st City of Collingwood Scouts Band.^[2]

1942-1943 Military Service

Alan Simons served in the military as a Private from 4 May 1942 until 17 Nov 1943 when he was discharged as Medical Unfit. On discharge his total period of service was 914 days of which 582 was active service.^[3][4]

He enrolled to join the Australian Army on 13 June 1941 at age 20 years and 7 months, and was enlisted on 4 May 1942 as Private V198271. At the time he was living with his parents at 39 Abbotsford St, Abbotsford, Collingwood, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. He listed his normal trade as Motor Mechanic (4yrs), and his present occupation as Leather Trade (Studying Accountancy) (his father was a Currier). At the time of joining the Army he had no formal education qualifications. The Army Service and Casualty history for Private Alan Simons (V198271) starts with his mobilisation to Caulfield, Melbourne on 18 May 1942. On 9 July 1942 he was graded as a Class III Clerk.

From 25-30 November 1942, Alan was in Balcombe Army Camp (Mount Martha, Melbourne) hospital with measles, and on 9-10 March 1943 in Darley Camp Hospital, Bacchus Marsh, Victoria with Pulmonary. On the 11 May he was back with his Unit at Caulfield, Melbourne.

On 12 June 1943, a week after his daughter Denyse Jean was born, Alan was in 23rd Australian Camp Hospital (23CH), Herne Hill, Geelong, Victoria, Australia with Acute Appendicitis and on 22 June 1943 with a perinephric (kidney) abscess. For the next month he was transferred in and out of the base hospital and Geelong Civil Hospital before being transferred to the Heidelberg Base Hospital (115AGH), Heidelberg, Melbourne on 22 July 1943, again with Acute Appendicitis and discharged to Stonnington, Melbourne on 26 July 1943. Alan was again in 115AGH hospital on 25 August 1943 for an Appendectomy, being discharged back to Caulfield on the 28 August 1943. On the 1 September 1943 Alan was transferred to Geelong.^[5]

On 24 September 1943 Alan was again admitted to hospital at Herne Hill (23CH) for a Renal Abcess before being discharged back to his Unit in Geelong on 27 September 1943. On the 14 October 1943 Alan was evacuated from his Unit to 23CH for medical investigation, then to Ballarat General Hospital (108AGH) until 5 November 1943 for renal pain investigation. Alan was transferred back to Heidelberg (115MH) on 6 November 1943 and discharged on 13 Nov 1943. On 17 Nov 1943 Alan was discharged from the Army as being "Medical Unfit". During this period of sickness the doctors were unsure whether Alan would survive and that it was a very difficult time with a new born baby and trying to visit Alan when possible.^[6]

On enlistment in 1942 Alan was described as:

Hair: Fair, Eyes: Hazel, Distinctive Marks: Scar 4th R Finger^[5]

On discharge in 1943 he was described as:

Height: 5' 7", Eyes: Blue, Distinctive Marks: Abdom scar, Hair: Brown, Complexion: Dark^[5]

The ongoing kidney illnesss, pain and ultimately cancer that Alan suffered for the rest of his life were recognised by the Department of Repatriation (Veteran Affairs) as being caused by the illnesses suffered while serving in the Army. This was a significant help to Alan and Jean as it meant that they received a Department of Veterans Affairs 'Gold Card', which covered all of their medical expenses.

1942 Marriage

Alan married Jean Ann Melville, daughter of James Melville (1880-1961) and Annie (McRae) Melville (1884-1957), on 25 July 1942 in St Philips Church, Abbotsford, Collingwood, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, while Alan was serving in the Army.^[7]

Witnesses to the marriage were Walter E. Forman and Thelma Lillian Tope, Jean's best friend and her Bridesmaid. Either Walter E. Forman (witness) or George Beattie (name on the rear of photo in Jean Simons' hand-writing) was Alan's Bestman, and Alan's sister Hazel Simons was Jean's Flower Girl.

Jean recalled that after her marriage in 1942 she and Alan lived at 110 (or possibly 10) Tinnings St, Brunswick, Melbourne,^[6] however there is no record of this on Alan's military record prior to his discharge on 17 November 1943. In a later recollection it was just prior to them moving to Darwin in 1946.

Children from the marriage of Alan Philip Simons and Jean Ann Melville were:

• Denyse Jean Simons
• Ken Simons
• Bruce Simons

Darwin, Northern Territory (1946-50, 1950-56, 1959-67)

After Alan's discharge they lived at 110 Tinning St, Brunswick, Melbourne.^[6] Alan moved to Darwin in March 1946 and shared an ex-Army hut with Charlie Mead. Jean recalled that at the time Alan had £3 left, with 5 shillings for Jean and their daughter Denyse to fly to Darwin in August 1946. While in Darwin they shared a house with Salvation Army Captain (later Brigadier) Vic Pederson, MBE OF (the Salvation Army's first Flying Padre), his wife Olive and son Victor, with whom they remained friends. According to Vic, in March 1946 he bought the abandoned Officers Mess of 6 Communication Flight at "Three Mile". The Mess was at the Stuart Highway end of the old civil airport in Parap, what later become Ross Smith Avenue:^[8]

Much work was needed to convert the Officers Mess into a home. The problem was even more difficult than that. We needed two homes and a large room as a public place of worship. The tenant, Alan Simons was already with us. He had a Government job in Darwin and needed a home so he could send for his wife Jean and daughter Denise[sic]. He[sic] travelled up on the same aircraft as Olive and they chatted on the trip. Other people were needed in the building, to provide security for my family when I visited the outback.^[8]

This was not long after the war and the remoteness and devastation caused by the bombing of Darwin meant there were considerable hardships:

Fitting up sinks, showers and toilets required visits to abondoned camps and helping ourselves to what we needed. Toilets were set up well away from and on different sides of the building. The structures were sentry boxes and the Service men delivering them assured us that any user of the toilet at night, would be likely to hear a ghostly. "Halt who goes there?". To convert these sentry boxes into incinerator type latrines, we brought in heavy steel 44 gallon drums. A suitable hole had to be cut in the top and a metal chimney attached to the back. Wooden seats with hinged lids and toilet doors completed the job.^[8]

Alan, Jean and Denyse were in the "tenants flat", while Vic, Olive and Victor were at the rear:

Our building was effectively divided into 3 parts. The tenants flat at the side, the meeting room going as far as the front flat, then our quarters right across the rear of the building.^[8]

In 1950 Alan and Jean were in Bendigo, Victoria for the birth of their son Kenneth James. The Simons family were back in Darwin by late 1950 or early 1951 when they were actively engaged in Salvation Army activities. Alan was a member of the Salvation Army Band playing the euphonium. Jean was a member of the Home League with Olive Pederson, participating in fund raising and helping at the East Arm Leprosarium.^[9]

During this second posting to Darwin, Alan worked for the Department of Civil Aviation. In 1952 he was donated £20 for straightening and auditing the Darwin Aero Club books. From 1950 to December 1953, Alan completed his Victorian "School Intermediate Certificate" (equivalent to 4 years High School) by correspondence through the University of Melbourne. He passed in English Expression, History of the British Empire, History of Australasia and the Pacific, Commercial Principles and Practice, Geography and Arithmetic.^[10] In 1956 Alan, Jean, Denyse and Ken returned to Melbourne. They purchased a newly built weatherboard house at 3 Cuthbert Rd, Reservoir, Melbourne.^[11]

In 1960 the Simons family moved back to Darwin and lived at 16 (since re-numbered to 48) Playford St, Fannie Bay. Alan worked as a Clerk with Northern Territory Administration. As a condition of employment, families were partially compensated for the expense of returning 'down south' each year. Most of the roads in and around the NT were either dirt or a single strip of bitumen, with the Stuart Highway from Alice Springs to Port Augusta in South Australia so bad that most travelled this section on the old narrow gauge Ghan train via Oodnadatta. The car (until 1966 a small Morris Major) with trailer in tow was driven on to the railway flat cars from the end of the train, with metal plates to allow driving onto the next railcar. The 1961 trip back to Darwin included Alan's parents Edwin and Ivy Simons, 4 adults and 2 boys in the Morris Major, which broke down 36 miles (58km) from Elliott, NT.^[12]

In 1963 Alan joined the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of South Australia on the 25 Sep 1963 and was active in Masonic Lodges for the remainder of his life.^[10]

Port Moresby, PNG (1967-1971)

Alan Simons accepted a job as an auditor for the Australian Army in Papua, New Guinea and in January 1967 Alan, Jean, their two sons Ken (16) and Bruce (10), and granddaughter Jo-Anne Davies (4) sailed from Brisbane, Queensland to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, aboard the China Navigation Company's 5900t MS Taiyuan. On arrival they lived at 44 Wau Ave, Murray Barracks, Port Moresby, PNG.^[12]

Alan's work as an Army auditor entailed visiting the Military bases spread around PNG, including at Vanimo, Wewak, Lae and Rabaul. These all required flights in small airplanes, sometimes in the Army Pilatus Porter PC-6. In August 1968 Alan was admitted to the Australian Institute of Management.^[10]

Canberra, ACT (1971-1980)

In 1970 Alan accepted a work transfer to Canberra, ACT, Australia working for the Department of Science in Woden Valley, ACT, and in January 1971 Alan, Jean and their son Bruce moved into rental accommodation at 78 Dunstan St, Curtin, Canberra, ACT. In November 1971, Alan and Jean bought a new house at 35 Pandanus St, Fisher, Canberra, ACT. Also in 1971 Alan purchased an Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire car from Alfred Thomas Hogg (Alan's 1st cousin once removed) in Mt Gambier, South Australia. Alan was a founding member of the ACT Armstrong Siddeley club:

The inaugural meeting of the ACT Branch of the Armstrong Siddeley Car Club was held at Charlie Stone’s home. Members attending the first meeting were: Charlie Stone, Alan Simons, John Funk, Patrick and Mrs. Arthur, plus a visiting member from Melbourne, Selwyn Allen. This first meeting was more of a social occasion where members of the newly formed Branch chatted to one another with discussions naturally centered on experiences with Armstrong Siddeleys.^[13]

Port Macquarie, NSW (1980-2011)

During 1980 Alan and Jean Simons moved from Canberra, ACT to 29 Yarranabbe Rd, Port Macquarie, Hastings on the north coast of New South Wales, Australia. In 1986 they moved from Yarranabbe Rd up the hill to 51 Merinda Drive, Port Macquarie, Hastings, New South Wales.

On 25 July 1992 Alan and Jean celebrated their Golden (50th) Wedding Anniversary at 51 Merinda Drive, Port Macquarie, NSW. Joining them to celebrate were their children Denyse, Ken and Bruce, most of the grandchildren, Jean's sister Ellenor, nephew Mel and sister-in-law, Thelma, and many of their Port Macquarie friends.

In addition to his Masonic Lodge activities, Alan played lawn bowls until his health prevented it, and whenever possible he sailed his boat on the Hastings River; in the 1980s the Katey B and in the 1990s the Miss Melville.

In the 1990s Alan joined the Port Macquarie Sea Rescue Group, based at Town Beach, obtained his two-way radio licence and served in their radio section. He and Jean were also actively involved in the Mid-North Coast Maritime Museum in William St, Port Macquarie, just above Town Beach. Their shared boating interests meant both Alan and Jean remained life-long friends of the Jordans at Jordans Boating Centre.

1995 Death

Alan Phillip Simons died on 29 June 1995 in Port Macquarie, Hastings, New South Wales, Australia at age 74. The cause of his death was liver metastases (primary unknown) 3 months; Bone metastases from prostatic carcinoma 3 months.^[14]

A memorial service was held on 4 July 1995 at the Uniting Church in Horton St, Port Macquarie. NSW. The service was very well attended, with many opting to provide eulogies, as Alan was extremely popular and had been involved in many clubs during the 15 years spent in Port Macquarie.

Death notices:

SEA RESCUE MEMBERS MOURN SIMONS DEATH Members of the Port Macquarie Sea Rescue Group are mourning the death of Mr Alan Simons who served in the radio section of the organisation for the past three years. Mr Simons, who died last Thursday aged 74 years, had a long association with boats and the sea, and was also involved with the Mid-North Coast Maritime Museum. He was well-known to the local boating fraternity, having owned the launch 'Lady Melville' for a number of years. Mr Simons served in the army during World War II, seeing service in Papua New Guinea as well as other places. Much of his working life in the public service was spent in accounting, with Mr Simons retiring to Port Macquarie 15 years ago. He is survived by a wife and adult family. A funeral service will be held at the Port Macquarie Uniting Church in Horton Street tomorrow at 2pm.^[15]

SIMONS - Alan. Passed away June 29, 1995 at Port Macquarie Hospital. Dearly loved brother of Gladys, Elsie, Mervyn. Alma and Hazel. Much loved brother-in-law to Jim (dec.), John, Shirley, Gordon and Stanley.

Peacefully sleeping

Forever in our hearts

RETURN THANKS The family of ALAN PHILP SIMONS wish to thank all wellwishers and friends for their condolences and best wishes on the loss of our husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Sincere thanks to the hospital staff and doctors for their care and personal interest in his comfort and well being.^[16]

Alan was cremated on 4 July 1995 at the Innes Gardens Memorial Park - Crematoriumin, Port Macquarie, Hastings, New South Wales, Australia, and a plaque erected in the grounds.

Alan Philip Simons

4-11-1920 - 29-6-1995

Loved husband of Jean

Dear father of Denyse, Kenneth, and Bruce

Grandfather and Great-grandfather of their children

He loved his family, people and laughter^[17]

Sources

1. ↑ Victoria State Government, Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria. Alan Phillip Henry Simons. Birth. Registration number 30237 / 1920. Father: Edwin Phillip. Mother: Ivy Violet WELSH. District: COLLINGWOOD, VIC, Australia. Victoria BDM search Transcript:

   No.: 6532

   When & Where Born: 4 November 1920; 143 Yarra St, City of Collingwood, County of Bourke.

   Name and whether present: Alan Phillip Henry; not present.

   Sex: Male.

   Father: Name and Surname, Occupation, Age, Birthplace: Edwin Phillip Simons; Engineer; 23; Abbotsford , Victoria.

   When and Where Married; Previous Issue: 21st December 1918, Abbotsford, Victoria; Ivy Gladys , 1 yr.

   Mother: Name and Maiden Name, Age and Birthplace: Ivy Violet Simons; Welsh; 24; North Melbourne, Victoria.

   Informant: Matilda Radford, Authorised Agent, 145 Charles St, Abbotsford.

2. ↑ Simons, Bruce (Simons-4207), family photo album.
3. ↑ Simons, Bruce (Simons-4207), 2023, "Australian Military Forces - Certificate of Discharge, 17 Nov 1943; No.15398", family papers. Transcript:

   Australian Military Forces Certificate of Discharge - Certificate No. 15398

   This is to Certify that V198271 Pte Alan Philip Simons - Land Head Quarters Army Service School who enlisted for the A.M.F. on the 4th day of May 1942 and who served on Continuous Full Time War Service in the Citizen Military Forces for a Total Effective Period of Nine hundred and fourteen Days which included Active Service In Australia for 582 days Outside Australia for - days is Discharged from the Citizen Military Forces.

4. ↑ Virtual War Memorial (accessed 14 August 2023)
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2} Simons, Bruce (Simons-4207), 2023. Summary of Alan Simons WW2 records, family papers.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2} Simons, Jean (Melville-1439), pers. comm., 27 Sep 2004.
7. ↑ Victoria State Government, Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria. Alan Phillip SIMONS & Jean Anne MELVILLE. Marriage. Registration number 14868 / 1942. Victoria BDM search Transcript:

   No. in register: 1828

   When and Where Married: 25/7/42; St Philips Church, Abbotsford

   Name and Surname of each Party: Alan Phillip Simons; Jean Anne Melville

   Conjugal condition: Bachelor; Spinster

   Birthplace: Abbotsford; Bendigo

   Occupation: Clerk AMF; Textile Worker

   Age: 21; 22

   Residence: 39 Abbotsford St, Abbotsford; 39 Abbotsford St, Abbotsford.

   Father: Edwin Phillip Simons; James Melville

   Occupation: Tuckpointer; Tinsmith

   Mother: Ivy Violet Welch; Annie McRae

   Witnesses: Thelma L. Tope Walter E. Forman

8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3} Pederson, Vic, 2002. "The Salvation Army in North Australia, Christmas 1944-Christmas 1974"
9. ↑ Simons, Bruce (Simons-4207), family photo album.
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1 10.2} Simons, Bruce (Simons-4207), family papers.
11. ↑ Sands & McDougall's directory of Victoria, 1960.
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1} Simons, Bruce (Simons-4207), personal recollection.
13. ↑ Tuckwell, Geoff. "Australian Capital Territory Branch History". https://armstrongsiddeley.org.au/about/history/branch-histories/australian-capital-territory-history. Accessed 13 Jan 2023.
14. ↑ NSW Government. Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Alan Philip Simons, 1995, Registration number: 22913/1995. Transcript:

    New South Wales; Registration of births, deaths and Marriages Act 1973; Death Certificate; Registration Number: 22913/1995

    1. Deceased: Family Name: Simons

    Christian or Given Name(s): Alan Philip

    Date of Death: 29 June 1995

    Place of Death: Port Macquarie Private Hospital, Port Macquarie

    Sex and Age: Male 74 years

    Place of Birth: Melbourne, Vic

    Period of Residence in Australia: Life

    Place of Residence: 51 Merinda Dr, Port Macquarie 2444

    Usual Occupation: Public Servant

    Marital Status at Date of Death: Married

    2. Marriages: Place of Marriage: Melbourne, VIC; Age when Married: 21 years; Full name of Spouse: Jean Ann Melville

    3. Children In order of birth, names and ages: Denyse J. 52; Kenneth J. 45; Bruce A. 38 years

    4. Parents: Father's Name: Philip Edwin SIMONS; Mother's Name: Ivy Violet; Mother's Maiden Family Name: WELCH

    5. Medical: Cause of Death and Duration of last illness: Liver metastases (primary unknown) 3 months; Bone metastases from prostatic carcinoma 3 months; Congestive cardiac failure 1 week; Name of certifying Medical Practiotioner: Dr. W. Wickham

    6. Burial or Cremation: Date: 4 July 1995; Place: Innes Gardens Memorial Park Crematorium, Port Macquarie

    7. Informant: Name: B. Hutchison; Address: 118 Gordon St Port Macquarie 2444; Relationship to deceased: Funeral Director

    8. Principal Registrar: Name: B. A. Flett; Date: 19 July 1995; Signed 20 Jul 1995, Barbara Flett

15. ↑ Port Macquarie News, 3 July 1995, p4.
16. ↑ Port Macquarie News, 7 July 1995, p49.
17. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/152903509/alan-philip-simons: accessed 18 April 2023), memorial page for Alan Philip Simons (4 Nov 1920–29 Jun 1995), Find A Grave: Memorial #152903509, citing Innes Gardens Memorial Park, Port Macquarie, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, New South Wales, Australia; Maintained by ! woowoo (contributor 49949980).