Henry Leon Simpkins was born in Ballarat, Victoria, was single and a Labourer when he enlisted with the 39th Battalion, B Company on 27 March 1916 at the age of 19. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, aboard HMAT A11 Ascanius on 27 May 1916 and in November 1916 he proceeded overseas to France from Southampton. On 12 June 1917 he was wounded in the field and was transferred to the 3rd London General Hospital for gas poisoning and was discharged to duty on 19 October 1917. On 16 August 1918 he was wounded a second time with a gunshot wound to the left hand and was invalided to the UK. He returned to Australia 14 January 1919.
Tree No. 2296