John Forbes Souter

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Fri, 15/05/2015 - 09:18

First Name:

John

Middle Name:

Forbes

Last Name:

Souter

Date of Birth:

Monday, December 17, 1866

Mother's Name:

Helen Souter (nee Forbes)

Father's Name:

Alexander Souter

Date Enlisted:

Saturday, July 24, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Sergeant

Unit:

1st Battalion

Company:

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Place of Death:

Wollongong, N.S.W.

Details:

John Souter (Service No 3474) was born in Scotland.

On 30th May, 1885 John married Jessie Coutts.

When John enlisted, he had moved to Australia, and was living in Keiraville, N.S.W. He was 44 years old, married, and employed as miner. John's enlistment papers reveal that he had spent three years in the Gordon Highlanders, and 20 years in the Militia in N.S.W.

John embarked from Sydney on HMAT A32 Themistocoles with 11th Reinforcements 1st Battalion on 5th October, 1915. On 14th March, 1916 he was promoted to Corporal. John saw service on the Western Front and on 20th July, while engaged in the battle for Poziere, he was buried by a shell and spent two weeks in hospital.

On his return to the battalion he was promoted to Sergeant. Three days later, on 7th August, 1916 he was again wounded receiving a gun shot wound to his arm. John was evacuated to hospital for treatment and at this time admitted that he was actually 50 years old to the doctor.

He was returned to Australia in May 1917 and discharged medically unfit due to injury and age on 15th August, 1917.

John died in Wollongong, N.S.W. in 1951.

John Forbes Souter along with his son are commemorated on the Wollongong Presbyterian Church Roll of Honour.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, SOUTER JOHN FORBES