Midlothian WWII veteran and former POW celebrates 100th birthday with socially distant street party

He was a POW in Poland for five years.

WWII veteran George Simpson celebrated his 100th birthday yesterday surrounded by family and neighbours in a socially-distant street celebration outside his home in Danderhall.

Pipers from the Regimental Association Pipe Band played George’s favourite tune, the Black Bear, and the Provost of Midlothian Peter Smaill sent him a birthday card.

George joined the Royal Scots in 1937 at just 17, and sailed to Cherbourg as part of the British Expeditionary Force in 1939.

George Simpson celebrated his 100th birthday with his wife Betty.

He was wounded at Le Paradis in May 1940 while the Royal Scots were ordered to delay the enemy in order for the evacuation of other troops at Dunkirk, and was captured, spending five years as a prisoner of war in Poland.

“We came to Dunkirk and I got wounded, I got shrapnel in my leg - it’s still there,” George said.

“There was no way I could be taken home, so I was taken prisoner.

“I felt terror at Dunkirk. We couldn’t get away, we knew we were going to be prisoners. We knew, all together, the wounded.”

George with other British soldiers in uniform given to them by the Red Cross. Back row, left to right: Tyson, Ted Rose, Willy Wilson. Front row: Johnny Jones, George Simpson, McGregor.

George has memories of his time as a POW, but did not want to share too many details as they are too painful.

He was boarded onto cattle trucks with other prisoners, and after a week they arrived at a camp in Thorn, Poland, where conditions were harsh.

“There was no food at all [...] there was no water [...] we were put in a camp. We worked daily, I could tell you all sorts of stories, only I don’t like telling you about them,” said George.

The prisoners were set to work on the railways loading material to be sent to the Front, but as they did not know if this material would be used against the British, many, including George, refused.

They were given three months detention as a punishment.

George was eventually liberated by Russian soldiers, and was taken back to Britain and put on a train to put on a train to Waverley, from where he went home to Stockbridge.

“My mother met me coming down the stairs,” he said.

“It was wonderful because, she knew I was a prisoner.”

George later took up a post at the Military Training School Lanark, and then worked for 40 years at Duncan’s chocolate Factory in Edinburgh.

Midlothian Provost Cllr Peter Smaill said: “It’s an honour to gift Mr Simpson a card and quaich on behalf of the council, which we will have engraved.

I’m only sorry I can’t do that in person on the day because of lockdown. I’m really looking forward to visiting Mr Simpson later in the year, when safe to do so, to hear more about his remarkable century and service to his country.”

Royal Scots Colonel Martin Gibson said: “George is a marvellous man who is very proud of his family. He is very matter of fact about his time, 80 years ago, fighting for King and Country.”