Frank Robert Simpson

Born in April 1864 at Ryton, he began his long career in 1887 as a Second Lieutenant in the 5th Volunteer Battalion DLI. By 1911, he was Lieutenant Colonel of the 9th Battalion DLI and, during the Great War, he commanded the 2nd/9th Battalion DLI at Salonika.

He retired in 1921 but was then appointed, until 1931, as Honorary Colonel of 9 DLI. He also served as Chairman of the Durham Territorial Force Association and was awarded the Order of the Bath (CB) in 1939 for his work.

In civilian life he was a mining engineer and coal owner and was President of the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers from 1935-6. He was made a Baronet in 1935.

Sir Frank Simpson died in April 1949.