James SIMPSON was born on January 17, 1890, at Swansea, Wales.

On June 16, 1915, he enlisted in the 27th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF, where he fought on the battle fields in France.  He was a sniper at Vimy Ridge.

On November 6, 1917, he was reported missing during the Battle of Passchendaele and officially ‘presumed dead’.  He was later found alive.

In 1934, he was elected to Matsqui Council.

Between 1941 and 1945, he served as the District of Matsqui municipal reeve.  He earned a citation for his services as the as the area National War Finance Committee Chairman.

From 1946 to 1953, he was a member of the Veteran’s Land Act Committee

James SIMPSON died on January 25, 1990 (89) and is buried in the Mt. Lehman Cemetery.

He was a prominent founding member of Matsqui Unit #315.