SOUTHALL, Charles H

Charles Southall was the son of Mrs C. Smith of 49 Spring Street, Lye. He was married and lived with his wife and one child at 19 Spring Street. He worked as an iron-plate worker for Messrs Hingley and Lamb of Lye. He volunteered for the Worcester Territorials and joined the 2/8th Battalion early in 1916. They moved to France on the 25th May and were posted to Artois to fight in the Battle of Fromelles in July, a diversionary attack for the main actions on the Somme. The losses were so heavy that the Division was out of action for a year. In 1917 it took part in the second phase of the Third Battle of Ypres at Langemarck where the German line on the Steenbeek was well protected with fortified farms and block-houses. On the 26th August the weather was highly unpleasant and at Aisne farm the Worcesters' attack was held up. Casualties were taken and Private Charles Southall was killed in action on the next day. He was 23 years of age and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot, Lye and Wollescote and Lye church Memorials.