Melville Simmons was born in Petrolia, Ontario, on March 10, 1889, the middle son of Charles Solomon Simmons (of Stratford, Ontario, a machinist) and Ellen Jane (nee Cleland, of Adelaide, Ontario) Simmons, of 257 South Christina Street, Sarnia. His siblings included John Edward (born 1885, who would later be employed with Mueller Manufacturing Co.) and Sylvester Earl (born 1894). His younger brother would also join the Canadian Infantry, 1st Battalion (see below).
In 1911, twenty-two year old Melville was living with his parents and brother Earl, at 112 Euphemia Street, Sarnia. At the time, Melville’s occupation was a machinist. Later in that same year, Melville would marry Rhoda Jane (nee Clark, of Woodstock, Ontario) Simmons. The couple married on September 4, 1911 in London, Ontario and would reside at 175 Christina Street, Sarnia. By that time, his parents Charles and Ellen Simmons were residing at 257 Christina Street. Melville was a resident of Sarnia for nineteen years and, prior to enlistment, was an employee of the Sarnia Fence Company. Melville, along with his brother Sylvester, enlisted on January 26, 1916 in Sarnia with the 149th Battalion. At that time, Melville listed his occupation listed as a mechanic. He later transferred, becoming a member of the Army, Canadian Engineers, 11th Field Company, with the rank of Sapper. He would be in France for a year and a half. On April 6, 1918, Melville Simmons would lose his life, the result of wounds received while fighting in France. Melville Simmons would later be officially listed as, Died of Wounds. Wounded by a bomb dropped from an enemy aeroplane at about 1 p.m. on April 6th, 1918, and died about half an hour later. In April of 1918, Melville’s father, Charles, would receive the following telegram in Sarnia:
Ottawa, Ont., April 19
Chas. Simmons, 257 South Christina, Sarnia, Ont
Deeply regret to inform you that 845299 Private Melville J. Simmons, Engineers, officially reported died of wounds, April 6, 1918. Director of Records
At the time of his Melville’s death, his widow Rhoda Jane Simmons was residing in Woodstock. Twenty-nine year old Melville Simmons is buried in Roclincourt Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, Grave VI.B.14.
In December of 1918, eight months after Melville’s death, his younger brother Sylvester Earl, a former member of the Canadian Infantry, would die in Sarnia of accidental poisoning at the age of twenty-five. Sylvester Simmons was buried in Lakeview Cemetery in Sarnia. On the lower part of Sylvester’s headstone in Sarnia, are inscribed the words, Also 845299 Sapper Mel J. Simmons 11th Field Co. C.E.F Died of wounds in France 6.4.18. After the war, Charles and Ellen Simmons moved to Fort Madison, Iowa, U.S.A.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, L, N, 2C, 2D, 2G