Ivan Simson

Brigadier Ivan Simson OBE (1890–1971) was the Chief Engineer in Malaya from August 1941 until its surrender to the Japanese in 1942. Simson was tasked with improving the defenses in Singapore in the face of possible attack by the Japanese, although Simson's defensive recommendations were largely rejected by his commander, Arthur Percival, as being bad for morale.[1] Previously he was Deputy Chief Engineer Scottish Command.[2]

Ivan Simson
Born	1890
Died	1971
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Rank	Brigadier
Battles/wars	Second World War Battle of Malaya Battle of Singapore
Awards	Order of the British Empire

The Battle of Singapore from 8–15 February resulted in a decisive Japanese victory and the capture of Percival, Simson, and the majority of troops under them.[3]

References

1. Murfett et al 2011 p190, 224, 340-344
2. Fisher, Charles Alfred. Three times a guest: recollections of Japan and the Japanese, 1942–1969. Cassell, 1979. p15
3. Kennedy, Joseph. When Singapore Fell: Evacuations and Escapes, 1941–42. Springer, 1989. p11-12

Sources

• Murfett, Malcolm H., John Miksic, Brian Farell, and Chiang Ming Shun. Between 2 Oceans (2nd Edn): A Military History of Singapore from 1275 to 1971. Marshall Cavendish International Asia Pte Ltd, 2011.