Captain Bueth Vernon Sim

Thank you to Jane Anthony and Lenka Cathersides for this research.

Born into a wealthy professional class family at Kensington on 18th September 1888. His father, James Duncan Stuart Sim, born in Nellore, Madras, India, was a barrister who later became the Chief Registrar for Friendly Societies in 1904. There is a portrait of his in the National Portrait Gallery. His mother was born Frances Nora Pretthie Gore in Clifton, Gloucestershire.

James’s father and Bueth’s grandfather James Duncan Sim Esq was the part of the Madras Civil Service in India. He died on 4^th January 1888 in Moxley near Dorking leaving over £7,778.

Bueth’s parents married on 22^nd September 1887 in Clifton, Bristol.

Bueth had one sister called Nora G. Sim who was born about 1890 in Kensington.

At the time of the 1901 Census, Bueth’s parents and sister were living at Ravens Croft in Nutfield, Reigate, Surrey. His father James was working as a Barrister of law and the family kept five servants (a governess, parlormaid, cook, housemaid and kitchen maid).

Bueth was educated at Cheltenham College, and was commissioned into the army as a second Lieutenant in 1911. In 1913 he immigrated to Canada to become a farmer. At the outbreak of War he enlisted as a private in Lord Strathcona’s Regiment, which was part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. In January 1915 he was granted a commision in the 4^th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, The Duke of Cambridge’s.

Bueth was over 5 feet and 8 inches tall. He had a fair complexion, blue eyes and fair hair. He was a member of the Church of England. His disguising mark was a small scar on his upper lip.

According to his Canadian attestation paper, Bueth served for seven months in the 3^rd Volunteer Battalion Norfolk Regiment, two years in the 4^th North Staffordshire Regiment as a subaltern and from May 1911 a year and half in the Special Reserve Middlesex Regiment. He resigned from the Middlesex Regiment in 1913 in order to take up farming in British Columbia.

On the outbreak of war he volunteered for active service. He enlisted into the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on the 22^nd September 1914 at Valcaltier Camp. On his attestation paper it is stated that he was a farmer. Bueth became the part of the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians). He was a private and his regimental number was 2706.

With the Lord Strathcona’s, Bueth sailed to England where on 14^th November 1914, he again received a commission in the Middlesex Regiment and joined the 4^th Battalion at the front in January 1915. He became a Lieutenant with regimental number 2706 and later Captain.

He died of wounds on 7th May 1915, after being shot in the head on Hill 60.

Officer’s effects reads that Bueth left to his mother, Frances and John Cleverly Lake Esq £86, 15s, 9d. The couple also received £4041, 12s, 8d during probate. Bueth is stated, in a probation document, to live at 25 Holland Street, Kensington, London.

Bueth was awarded the British, Victory and the 1915 Star.

 

He is buried at the Divisional Cemetery, Dickebush Road, Ypres. His grave reference number is A.8. He was 26 years old.

His name is also on the memorial at Vernon British Columbia. The town of Vernon was founded by Forbes Georg Vernon possibly a relative, given that Bueth’s middle name was also Vernon. Although Bueth’s sister Gertrude born in 1890, is mentioned in family details no mention is made of Bueth.

Born	Kensington, London
Lived	Nutfield, Reigate
Occupation	Farmer
Son of	James Duncan Stuart and Frances Nora Prittie Sim, of Reigate
Grandson of	James Duncan Sim of Moxley, Holmbury St. Mary
Regiment	4th Battalion, (Middlesex Regt) The Duke of Cambridge’s
Number	2706
Date of Death	7th May 1915
Place of Death	Ypres, Belgium
Cause of Death	Died of Wounds
Age	26
Cemetery	Divisional Cemetery, Ypres