Born: 21 November 1874
Died: 1 January 1966
A labourer who enlisted in the AIF on 21 January 1915. He embarked for Egypt with the 21st Battalion on 10 May 1915.
The Battalion landed at Gallipoli on 7 September 1915. Following the Battalion's withdrawal on 19 December, it returned to Egypt on 26 December 1915.
The 21st arrived at Marseilles, France on 25 March 1916 and moved immediately to Glomenghem in northern France. Between 6 August and 2 October 1917 he served with the 6th Training Battalion in England.
He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. The recommendation for the award was as follows:
"During the last six months this NCO has displayed conspicuous good service at all times.
"At Ville-sur-Ancre on the 19th May, 1918, after his Platoon Commander had been severely wounded he took charge of the platoon and led them forward. He and his men fought with such spirited offensiveness that they captured 30 prisoners and three machine guns, besides killing many of the enemy.
"Again on the 4th July, 1918, near Villers-Bretonneux Sgt Semple displayed great dash and gallantry. He was instrumental in the capture of several posts and himself killed five of the enemy and later sent back valuable information and prisoners. On reaching the final objective he remustered his men and consolidated the position under heavy machine gun and sniping fire."
He had been recommended in May 1918 for the Military Medal (a lower award) for the first of the actions in the above recommendation but this had not been awarded.
The Battalion saw its last action on 5 October 1918 at Montbrehain, France. It was demobolised and on 13 October he was absorbed into the 24th Battalion.
He embarked for Australia on 28 March 1919 and arrived on 26 May then was discharged from the AIF on 25 July 1919.
Uncle of Francis Herbert and Reginald Semple. [JSB]
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