Local veterans were familiar with Simpson's military service-related death and included him on the Victory Byway Memorial plaque in1928; however, no other record of that death has been found.

Sidney W. Simpson was born on September 8, 1895, at Wrights [Station], Santa Clara County, California, to Samuel and Mary Simpson. Sidney spent his formative years with his older sister, Ethel, at the family farm in the Highland district north of Soquel. Local grammar schools probably provided him with an elementary education; however, nothing has been located regarding his high school attendance.

Draft records indicate that he was a farmer by occupation and probably worked on the family farm. On June 25, 1917, Simpson completed his selective service registration process at the Highland Precinct. At that time he described himself as being tall, of medium complexion with brown eyes and dark brown hair.

Simpson was likely inducted into the US Army and may have been included among the ninety-five county men that left for training on September 22, 1917. No information has been found regarding his military experience, subsequent death or burial location.

(CAG; WWIDR; USCR, US Census 1900, 1910, CA, Santa Clara