George Simkins was born on 17 April 1905 in Stoney Stratford, Buckinghamshire, the youngest of the four children of Frederick Henry Simkins (1869-1940) and Emily Simkins née Asher (1868-1956).
In the 1911 census he is shown as living at 23 York Road, Stoney Stratford, with his parents and three siblings: Edith Mary Simkins (1897-1991), Florence Annie Simkins (1902-1930) and Frederick Evelyn Simkins (1905-1977). His father's occupation was listed as a coach finisher for a railway company.
On 28 October 1933 he married Gwendoline Doris Bargioni (1910-1992) at St Luke's Church, West Holloway, Hillmarton Road, London, N7 9JE, where the marriage register shows that he was a chemist living at 50 High Street, Highgate, whilst his wife was recorded as living at 72 Parkhurst Road, Holloway. They had three children: Michael Simkins (1934-2008), Roger Simkins 1937-1998) and Timothy Arthur George Simkins (b.1948).
Electoral registers in 1934 show him and his wife listed at 5 Park View Mansions, High Street, London, N6 but between 1936 and 1961 they show him and his family listed at 50 Highgate High Street, London, N6. From 1962 to 1965 they are listed at 64 Highgate High Street, London, N6.
Telephone directories from 1971 list him at 4 Park View Mansions, Highgate High Street, London, N6 and probate records confirm that this was his address when he died, aged 71 years, on 2 January 1977. As he had made no will and died intestate, letters of administration were granted jointly to his wife and his son Timothy, who was a solicitor, on 24 May 1977. The gross value of his estate totalled £37,336.13 and after liabilities had been taken into account the net value of his estate was £26,839.06.
Note: 50 Highgate High Street is almost opposite the Angel Inn, a few houses further east. 64 is Bailey and Saunders, the pharmacy. Park View Mansions is immediately east of the Dukes Head.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
