Noel Simpson (general)

Noel Simpson
Born	Noel William Simpson Template:Birth date Balmain, New South Wales, Australia
Died	November 18, 1971(1971-11-18) (aged 64) Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
Occupation(s)	Army officer, banker
Years active	1925–1964 (military)
Known for	Senior Australian Army officer during World War II; assistant inspector at National Bank of Australasia

Major General Noel William Simpson (22 February 1907 – 18 November 1971) was a senior officer in the Australian Army who commanded both battalion and brigade formations throughout the Second World War. Following the conflict, he took command of the 3rd Division and represented the Citizen Military Forces on the Military Board, retiring from service in 1964. Outside of his military duties, Simpson pursued a career in banking, eventually becoming assistant-inspector at the National Bank of Australasia. He passed away at the age of 64.

Early life

Born on 22 February 1907 in Balmain, New South Wales, Simpson was the son of Harry, a Sydney-based orchardist, and Annie (), who emigrated from New Zealand. He was the younger twin brother to Grosvenor, who also had a military career but was killed during the Anzio campaign in 1944. Both brothers initially received commissions in the Militia's 17th Battalion. After completing his education at North Sydney Boys' High School, Simpson began working at the National Bank of Australasia in late 1922, where he remained throughout his civilian life apart from his wartime service.

Military career

Simpson commenced his military involvement in 1925 while employed at the National Bank, gaining a commission as a lieutenant in 1926. Throughout the interwar period, he served in multiple infantry battalions and had achieved the rank of major by the start of World War II. Volunteering for overseas deployment, he joined the Second Australian Imperial Force as second-in-command of the 2/13th Battalion.

In late 1940, Simpson was deployed to the Middle East, where he was soon attached to headquarters of the 7th Division. He took part in the Syria–Lebanon campaign against Vichy French forces in 1941. Elevated to lieutenant colonel in March 1942, he assumed command of the 2/17th Battalion, earning distinction for his emphasis on rigorous training and leading his battalion through the critical Second Battle of El Alamein in North Africa.

Returning to Australia in 1943 for advanced preparation against Japanese forces, Simpson demonstrated tactical expertise during the Huon Peninsula campaign, including at Scarlet Beach landings and subsequent operations despite sustaining injuries. He also briefly held command over both the 24th Brigade and 20th Brigade during advances toward Sattelberg.

After leading the 2/43rd Battalion through training for the Borneo campaign, Simpson was promoted to brigadier in March 1945 and took charge of the 29th Brigade on Bougainville. Under his leadership, the brigade conducted defensive actions supporting offensive movements against Japanese positions until heavy rains interrupted operations in August 1945.

In November 1945, Simpson assumed command of the 23rd Brigade, overseeing its return to Australia and subsequent demobilisation by mid-1946.

Following World War II, Simpson returned to banking while continuing part-time military service. He was appointed honorary aide-de-camp to the Governor General in 1950 and held a staff role within Eastern Command until 1953 before taking command of the 6th Brigade. Promoted to major general, he led the 3rd Division between 1959 and 1960. From 1960 to 1962, he served as the Citizen Military Forces representative on the Military Board—the highest position attainable by a part-time officer—before concluding his military career with retirement in February 1964 after nearly forty years of service.

Later life and legacy

Simpson was honored with the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) during World War II for his command at El Alamein, and he received an additional Bar to the DSO for his contributions in the Huon Peninsula campaign. Subsequently, he was mentioned in despatches in 1947, named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1956, and appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1963. Additionally, he was awarded the Efficiency Decoration in 1946.

Following the conclusion of the war, Simpson resumed his work at National Bank as an assistant inspector, a position he held until his retirement in 1966. He died on 18 November 1971 in Heidelberg, Victoria, having never married.

External links

• Service record, National Archives of Australia