Dates:
War Service:
Second Lieutenant JOHN EDWARD SOUTHON of the 1st/17th Battalion the London Regiment died on 3 December 1917. He was educated at the City Of London School and was a member of the officer training corps. Enlisting in August 1915 aged 16, in July 1916 he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 17th Battalion of the London Regiment (Poplar and Stepney Rifles).
The citation for his posthumous Military Cross (announced in the London Gazette of 14 December 1917) reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on the occasion of a raid. He reconnoitred the enemy’s wire and system of trenches prior to the raid, which he led himself, coolly directing the parties and effecting their withdrawal after inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy and securing prisoners.
He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial at Louverval
Location of Memorial:
He is remembered on the memorial at St Cyprian’s church, Brockley.
Details:
John Edward Southon was born in Brockley, Kent, in 1898 and lived at 44 Adelaide Road (now Avenue).
Source:
CWGC; London Gazette
Contributed By: Andy Pepper
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