More about William Arnold-Simmers

For more information on William, visit his Service Record

William attested March 1, 1915 with the 10th CMR and after arrival in England October 4, 1915 he was transferred to the Canadian Army Medical Corps Training School. On January 5, 1916 he was sentenced to 28 days in detention for ‘various acts’. Following that he was returned to Canada ‘Services no longer required’ and discharged March 10, 1916 to resume his medical studies.

As a child he attended Dundee High School and then Edinburgh University. The Edinburgh University Roll of Service states:
ARNOLD-SIMMERS, WILLIAM. Dundee High School: Athletics. M.A. (St Andrews) 1887. 1st Fife Vol Artillery. M.B., C.M. 1890. Canadian Mounted Rifles, Cavalry Division, Trooper, 1914-1916. Royal Navy Transports, Surgeon 1916-1919.

“Dr. William Arnold Simmers. Early July, 1936, Dr. William Arnold Simmers of Manville, Alberta, passed away on the eve of his departure for Scotland. He had been ill for some time, and arrangements were being made for his return to his native land, where he was to spend the balance of his days, but before that time arrived he had gone to the great beyond.

Dr. Simmers attended the University of Edinburgh where he graduated with the degrees of Master of Arts, Master of Surgery and Bachelor of Medicine and registered to practice in the homeland in 1890. He was with the army in the South African War and later as a medical officer, joined an Antarctic Expedition bound for the South Pole. In 1903 he registered in the North West Territories, practising in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. In 1915 he joined the forces again, and was placed as a Medical Officer on a hospital ship.

Dr. Summers had a fine educational equipment, and with his world travel experience he was naturally the centre of any conversation group. After the Great War, he returned to Alberta, where he continued to practice until his death.”

Canadian Medical Association Journal. Vol.35, pp. 344-345, September 1936.

His Year of Birth on certain external records such as Scotland Census and travel records shows his Year of Birth as 1865.

Edmonton Journal, 12 June 1936:

“Military Honours given to Medico- Dr. W.A. Simmers was in charge of Hospital Ship – Died at Mannville – (Special to the Journal) – MANVILLE, Jun 12 – Dr. William Arnold Simmers, well known doctor of Kitscooty and Mannville, and a resident in Canada since 1908, died recently and was buried  Thursday after a service with full Military Honours.

Born in Scotland in 1865, Dr. Simmers attended the University of Edinburgh and later took part in Antartic exploration. After the Great War broke out he enlisted as a private. His identity as a doctor was discovered later and he was put in charge of a hospital ship plying between Folkstone and Boulogne. Dr. Simmers also served in the South African War. A widow in Dundee survives.”

Dundee Courier & Advertiser, 11 June 1936 “Simmers at Manville, Alberta on 7th June Suddenly. William Arnold Simmers M.B. C.M. (Edinburgh) formerly Dundee. Friends will please accept this (the only) intimation.”