SOUTHALL Thomas James

Thomas Southall lived at 131 Hagley Road, Oldswinford, and attended Oldswinford CE School. He volunteered for military service, probably in 1914. His first period of action was with the Gloucesters, but at some point he was transferred to the Berkshires. He served in the 6th (Service) Battalion, part of the 18th Division, and was thus engaged in the great battle of the Somme in 1916. The battalion was involved in this struggle from the first day on 1st July until November. In the opening assault of the 1st July the Berkshires took part in the most successful attack by the British forces on that day. They advanced within an hour in the face of great resistance to the Pommiers trench and then beyond, thus reaching their planned objective. In the second phase starting on the 14th July they helped in the capture of Delville Wood. Then the battalion returned in September to help capture Thiepval, a stronghold which had resisted all attempts since 1st July. The Division’s assault on 26th September was quickly successful and then the Berkshires moved on to attack the notorious Schwaben Redoubt on the 30th. In all this action the casualties were considerable.  Private Thomas Southall was among those who died on the 30th September. He is also commemorated on Methodist church memorial.