Notes David William Simpkin was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada to Thomas William and Maude Evelyn Simpkin.
His father, a printer, had been born in London and had served during World War I in the CEF. After the war, Thomas Simpkin returned to England.
David William Simpkin, his mother, and two siblings, John S. Simplin and Grace E. Simpkin, followed Thomas to England, arriving there on September 10, 1919, on the ship Tunisian. The manifest showed that their intended place of residence was 34 Cotebrooke Row, Islington, England.
In 1928, David Simpkin, 14, arrived at Quebec, Canada, in a group of Barnardo children en route to Mr J W Hobday, 538 Jarvis Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Passenger List gives birth place as Calgary, Alberta, Canada; next of kin as Mother, Mrs Margaret Simpkin, Ivy House, 43 Grove Road Gardens, Chiswick, England; and intended occupation as farming.
On November 18, 1936, David William Simpkin, 21, entered the United States through the port of Detroit, Michigan. He declared that he was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada; that he was single; that he was a salesman; that his last permanent address was 59 Carlton Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; that his contact in Canada was his friend, Fred Ellis, who resided in Ennisskillen, Ontario, Canada; that he had previously been in the US for a few hours; that his destination was Detroit, Michigan; that he carried $2.00 on his person; that the purpose of his visit was to look for work. He was described as 5 foot 10 inches in height; medium complexion; dark brown hair; hazel eyes.
David married Marie in 1943 and the couple had 2 children: John Simpkin; and Anthony Simpkin.