SOUTER, Harry


No.8256, Private, Harry SOUTER
Aged 21


2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
Died of his Wounds on 26th November 1914


Harry Souter was born in Chedburgh (3rd qtr 1893 Thingoe 4a:752) son of Jonathan and Harriett SOUTER (née CRACK)

1901 census...Aged 7, he was at Bury Road with his father Jonathan SOUTER [52] domestic gardener; his mother Harriett [47]; brothers Arthur [17], Albert [15] both farm labourers, George [13] and Elijah [11]; sister Alice [9]. All were bron in Chedburgh. Brother Herbert was in the Army in South Africa

His father died in 1902

1911 census...Aged 17 The family were at New Road, Chedburgh with his widowed mother; brothers John, Albert and Elijah, all labourers.

On the pension card his mother was at Bury Road, Chedburgh.

His brother Albert was killed in Action in 1915 in Belgium see here
and brother George died of influenza in Belgium in 1918 see here


He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds.
The 2nd Suffolks were at Le Cateau during the retreat from Mons.
Having reached Le Cateau the Suffolks received an order to stand and fight, which they did, despite being in the most unsuitable defensive position. They, and the Argyll Highlanders, fought for around nine hours before being overwhelmed by the Germans. No-one seems to admit to issuing the first order for them not to retreat, but their heroic endeavours held the Germans long enough for much of the British Division to escape. The battalion suffered over 720 casualties, killed,wounded or missing.

CWGC records show that they had 74 killed on 26th, only 7 having known graves.

Many a family must have made the same enquiries of the International Red Cross, hoping their man had been taken prisoner


It was at one time thought he was a prisoner of War in Munster. This, from International Red Cross, says no to that


Strangely, this is the only press article found despite three brothers dying in the conflict



photo CWGC

Harry Souter is buried in Hautmont Communal Cemetery, France 1:B:1

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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