George Walter Gillow Simpson, RN
| Born | 6 Jun 1901 | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Died | 2 Mar 1972 | (70) | Whangarei, New Zealand |
 | Ranks
Retired: 30 Mar 1954 Decorations
|
Warship Commands listed for George Walter Gillow Simpson, RN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMS Porpoise (N 14) | Cdr. | Submarine | 21 Sep 1938 | 15 Nov 1939 |
| HMS Sealion (N 72) | Cdr. | Submarine | Feb 1940 | Feb 1940 |
| HMS Talbot (F 06) | Capt. | Submarine Depot Ship | 1 Sep 1941 | 15 Dec 1942 |
Career information
George Walter Gillow Simpson (Shrimp) 6th June 1901 – 2nd March 1972 George Simpson was born in Dorking, Surrey, the fouth child of the vicar of Okewood, Surrey. The family later moved to Dunsfold, Surrey where George Walter Gillow Simpson was born.
In the Navy he became known as "Shrimp" due to his small stocky stature. Educated at Osborne and Dartmouth Naval Colleges, he served in the Grand Fleet (HMS Superb) late in WW1 and in 1921 joined the RN Submarine Service. 1921-1939 Various appointments and postings including the China Station, studying the Russian language in Estonia and service on HMS Nelson 1929-1931.
January 1941 - Appointed Captain (S) 10th Submarine Flotilla Malta ("The Fighting Tenth"). He remained throughout the Siege, departing on 23 January 1943.
April 1943 - Commodore Western Approaches RN Base Londonderry Northern Ireland, until the end of the War. 1947-50 - First Naval Member and Chief of Staff Royal NZ Navy. 1951- Flag Officer Germany and Chief British Naval Representative on Allied Control Commission. 1952-54 - Flag Officer Submarines (HMS Dolphin) 1955-72 - Farming at Whangaruru NZ. Buried at Maunu Lawn Cemetery Whangarei New Zealand (1972- published ‘Periscope View’ a professional autobiography)
Events related to this officer
Submarine HMS Porpoise (N 14)
25 Aug 1939
HMS Porpoise (Cdr. G.W.G. Simpson, RN) departed Portsmouth for Gibraltar. She was was to proceed to Malta to join the 1st Submarine Flotilla based there. (1)
28 Aug 1939
HMS Porpoise (Cdr. G.W.G. Simpson, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. She departed for Malta the following day. (1)
1 Sep 1939
HMS Porpoise (Cdr. G.W.G. Simpson, RN) arrived at Malta.
As no log for September 1939 is available her exact tasks at Malta are unknown to us. (2)
11 Oct 1939
HMS Porpoise (Cdr. G.W.G. Simpson, RN) departed Malta for Gibraltar. Porpoise was to return to the U.K.
For the daily positions of HMS Porpoise during the passage to Portsmouth see the map below.
(3)
15 Oct 1939
HMS Porpoise (Cdr. G.W.G. Simpson, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. She departed for Portsmouth later the same day. (3)
20 Oct 1939
HMS Porpoise (Cdr. G.W.G. Simpson, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (3)
24 Oct 1939
HMS Porpoise (Cdr. G.W.G. Simpson, RN) shifted from Portsmouth to Sheerness. (3)
25 Oct 1939
HMS Porpoise (Cdr. G.W.G. Simpson, RN) shifted from Sheerness to the Chatham Dockyard where she was to refit. (3)
Submarine HMS Sealion (N 72)
8 Feb 1940
HMS Sealion (Cdr. G.W.G. Simpson, RN in command temporary as Lt.Cdr. B. Bryant, RN was sick) departed Harwich for her 4th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the North Sea to the north of Terschelling, the Netherlands.
For the daily positions of HMS Sealion during this patrol see the map below.
(4)
18 Feb 1940
HMS Sealion (Cdr. G.W.G. Simpson, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at Harwich. (4)
Sources
- ADM 173/15937
- ADM 199/2566
- ADM 173/15938
- ADM 199/1835
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
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