1914-15 Star (3-8137 PTE. H.C. SIMS. BEDF.R.); British War Medal (3-8137 PTE. H.C. SIMS. BEDF.R.); Victory Medal (3-8137 PTE. H.C. SIMS. BEDF.R.)
Harry Charles Sims was born in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire in 1889. He enlisted with the Bedfordshire Regiment several times in the early 1900's and was either discharged for lying about his age or, in 1906, because of a criminal conviction. He finally succeeded when WWI broke out and he was posted to the 6th Bn Bedfordshire Regiment with whom he was posted to France on 26 July 1915.
He was Killed in Action on 29.4.1917 - on that day, the 6th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment was involved in the Battle of Arras, specifically during the Second Battle of the Scarpe. They participated in an attack on Greenland Hill, which was only partially successful due to heavy enemy fire. Many soldiers were killed or wounded, with one account noting only 58 survivors after the attack. Other sources indicate that the battalion was involved in other actions during the battle, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux.
The Bedfordshire Gazette of June 5 1917 reported that,
"Mr and Mrs John Sims of Back Street learned from the Record Office, Worley, on Saturday that their youngest son, Private Harry Sims of the Beds Regiment was killed in action between the dates of April 27th and 29th. He was 27 years old and had served on the Western Front for many months. He was one of the first in the town to respond to the call to arms. When home on leave he repeatedly expressed the belief that he should never return to England again."
Medals are in good condition unless indicated otherwise. Sold together with copied research.
