Major John SimpsonVC (29 January 1826 – 27 October 1884) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
It was during the attack on Fort Ruhya on 15 April 1858 that Simpson, then a 32-year-old quartermaster-sergeant, volunteered to go to an exposed point within 40 yards (37 m) of the parapet of the fort under heavy fire and carried back a lieutenant and a private, both of whom were seriously wounded. For this action he was awarded the VC.[2]
Simpson was commissioned as a quartermaster on 7 October 1859 and in 1878 he transferred to the Royal Perth Rifles Militia (from 1881 the 3rd Battalion, Black Watch).[1] In 1881 he was granted the honorary rank of Captain and in 1883 he was promoted to Honorary Major. His grave and memorial are at Balbeggie Churchyard, St. Martin's, near Perth, Scotland. His medal is on display in the United States at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, in Los Angeles.
