21 Sep 1930 - 18 Feb 2000

Alfred Simpson joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1952 after graduating William Anglis Cookery School as a Cordon Bleu and Pastry Chef. He served in the navy for 15 years, attaining the rank of Chief Petty Officer. 

After leaving the Navy he worked at the Pier Hotel in Frankston, the the Western Port Hotel in Hastings Victoria. 

The Western Port Hotel was famous for the Sunday Smorgasbords and he took great pride in making them spectacular.

His daughter, Margot, worked in the kitchen as a kitchen hand after school and on weekends. 

The opportunity came up to join the Merchant Navy and Dad was looking forward to it. He was away a lot when we were younger, always busy at the hotels. He thought of it as an opportunity to spend more time with the family.

His first ship was the Blythe Star.

After returning home and recuperating, he went back to sea.

His next ship was the MV Straitsman, which sank in the Yarra River, but luckily he had finished his swing on its previous voyage,

He settled into routine of going away, then being home for period of time and put everything into his gardening, winning the Progress Award of Crib Point.

He also was an avid golfer, being a member of HMAS Cerberus Golf Club. He loved spending time with his seven grandchildren; Gavin, Donna, Karen, Jorja, Christina, John and Dennis.

Every week we would go around for the Sunday Roast, he loved feeding the family.