Private Arthur Southgate, another son of Mr. and Mrs Southgate, Feltwell, reported missing October 18th, 1916.

Photograph from the Norwich Mercury 23rd June 1917.

 

Private Arthur Southgate, another son of Mr. and Mrs Southgate, Feltwell, reported missing October 18th, 1916.

 

The same photo montage has pictures of his brothers Archibald and John William.

 

SOUTHGATE, ARTHUR

Rank:………………………......Corporal

Service No:………………….14839

Date of Death:…………….18/10/1916

Regiment:…………………….Norfolk Regiment, 9th Bn.

Panel Reference:…………Pier and Face 1 C and 1 D.

Memorial:………………….....THIEPVAL MEMORIAL

CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/813645/SOUTHGATE,%20A...

 

Soldiers Died in the Great War records that Corporal Arthur Southgate was Killed in Action on the 18th October 1916 whilst serving with the 9th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. He was born Feltwell, Norfolk, and enlisted Norwich. No place of residence is shown.

 

The Medal Index Card for Corporal 14839 Arthur Southgate, Norfolk Regiment, is held at the National Archive under reference WO 372/18/203404

He was originally a Private in the same Regiment when he first entered a Theatre of War.

discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D6416010

 

Some of his Service Records have survived the bombing in WW2 although in a singed state.

On his enlistment form, which he completed on the 9th September 1914 in Norwich, he gave his place of birth as Feltwell and his date of birth as the 1st October 1893.He worked as an Agricultural Farm Servant, was single and had no previous military experience. At his medical he was 5 feet 6 and 3/8 inches tall and weighed 139 lbs. He had a Fair complexion, with Blue eyes and Brown Hair. There are no distinguishing marks recorded. His statement of service shows him posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion on the 12th September 1914. He was in “D”Company, He was appointed unpaid Lance Corporal on the 24th March 1916. He was promoted Corporal on the 16th September 1916, (that was the day after the unit was pretty much wiped out in the attack on the Quadrilateral) and transferred to “A” Company. He was posted missing on the 18th October 1916. In August 1917 a decision was taken that he had died on or since the 18th October 1916. It was directed that his personal effects be sent to Mr Robert Southgate of Long Lane, Feltwell. A Mr R Southgate would sign for his medals in 1920 and 1921. Post War, when the Government decided to pay out a War Gratuity to those who had seen active service, to kick the process off for those who had deceased they sent Army Form W.5080 out to the next of kin at their last known address. This asked for details of relatives who were still alive, in the order of the inheritance rules that then applied. His mother, Mary Southgate completed the form in May 1919. She confirmed there was no living wife or child. Father Robert and herself were still alive, both living at Long Lane, Feltwell.

 

His full blood brothers were:-

George, aged 31, living at High Street, Rayleigh, Essex

John William, aged 27, on active service

Victor Robert, aged 19, on active service.

 

There are no half-blood brothers.

 

Full blood sisters still alive are:-

Dora Hodgkins, aged 38, living at Priors Marston, Warwickshire

Flora Baugo(?), aged 35, 131 Bonner Hill Road, Norbiton, Surrey

Alice Maud Southgate,aged 34, Borough Mental Hospital, Portsmouth

Eliza Howe, aged 30, Long Lane, Feltwell

Ethel Southgate, aged 21, Long Lane, Feltwell

Daisy Southgate, aged 12, Long Lane, Feltwell.

 

There are no half-blood sisters.

Mary had the form witnessed by J H Molesworth, Rector of Feltwell.

 

No match on Picture Norfolk

 

No obvious Missing Persons enquiry held by the International Red Cross.

 

No obvious Soldiers Will or Civil Probate for this man.

 

Arthur is remembered on the War Memorial at Feltwell.

www.roll-of-honour.com/Norfolk/Feltwell.html

 

1893 – Birth

 

The birth of an Arthur Southgate was recorded in the Thetford District of Norfolk, (which included Feltwell) in the October to December quarter, (Q4), of 1893.

 

The baptism of an Arthur Southgate, born 1st October 1893, took place at St Mary and St Nicholas, Feltwell on the 19th October 1893. His parents were Robert, a Labourer, and Mary. The family resided in Feltwell.

freereg2.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5818f8ffe93790eca3...

 

Other family baptisms in the same church

 

Alice Maud Southgate, no date of birth recorded, baptised 12th September 1886. Parents Robert, a Labourer, and Mary. The family live at Feltwell.

freereg2.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5818f8fbe93790eca3...

 

George Southgate, no date of birth recorded, baptised 3rd September 1888. Parents Robert, a Labourer, and Mary. The family live at Feltwell.

freereg2.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5818f8fce93790eca3...

 

Archibold Robert Southgate, born 27th September 1895, baptised 10th November 1895. Parents Robert, a Labourer, and Mary. The family live at Feltwell.

freereg2.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5818f8ffe93790eca3...

 

Bertie Southgate, born 13th March 1897, baptised 24th May 1897. Parents Robert, a Labourer, and Mary. The family live at Feltwell.

freereg2.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5818f8ffe93790eca3...

 

Ethel Mary Southgate, born 13th August 1898, baptised 6th October 1898. Parents Robert, a Labourer, and Mary. The family live at Feltwell.

freereg2.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5818f8ffe93790eca3...

 

Robert Victor Southgate, born 20th December 1899, baptised 22nd January 1900. Parents Robert, a Labourer, and Mary. The family live at Feltwell.

freereg2.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5818f900e93790eca3...

 

1901 Censuses of England & Wales, and Scotland.

 

There is no obvious match for Arthur either on the Census or death records.

 

The family was recorded living at a dwelling on Long Lane, Feltwell. This was the household of his parents, Robert, (aged 42, a Labourer on farm born Feltwell) and Mary, (aged 43, born Wilton, Norfolk).

Alice…..aged 14…..born Feltwell

George...aged 12…..born Feltwell

Eliza……aged 11….born Feltwell

Johnny….aged 10….born Feltwell

Charlie…aged 8……born Feltwell

Archie….aged 6……born Feltwell

Burtie…..aged 4……born Feltwell

Ethel……aged 2……born Feltwell

Victor…..aged 1……born Feltwell

 

There is however also no match for the birth of a Charlie \ Charles Southgate in the General Registrars Office Index of Birth for England and Wales as being born in the Thetford District at this time. I suspect therefore “Charlie” is the family name for Arthur.

 

1911 Census of England & Wales

 

The Southgate family were now recorded living by the census enumerator at Long Lane, Feltwell, Norfolk, but father Robert Southgate has completed the return giving his postal address as ‘Rose Dale’, Rayleigh, Essex. This was the first return completed by the householder rather than a census taker and while generally there seem to be less errors around the spelling of names, a lot of householders seem to have been confused by the wording of the questions.

 

Whichever address they were actually living at, parents Robert, (51, Farm Labourer) and Mary, (51), have been married 29 years and have had 12 children, of which 11 were then still alive. Still single and living at home are:-

Alice…….aged 24….Domestic Servant

George….aged 22….G.E.R. Platelayer

John……..aged 20….Farm Labourer

Charlie….aged 18…..Farm Labourer

Archier…aged 15……Farm Labourer

Ethel……aged 12

Victor…..aged 11

Daisy……aged 4……born Feltwell

 

The 1915 edition of the Norfolk Register of Electors still records father Robert Southgate as living on Long Lane, Feltwell.

Source: familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2HTF-555

 

On the day

 

Wednesday 18th October 1916.

Gueudecourt

 

9th Bn, Norfolk Regt (6th Div) captured the north western part of Mild Trench and held it against a German attack at nightfall.

forum.irishmilitaryonline.com/showthread.php?t=9058&p...

 

A private letter from a Lieutenant Cubitt provides more detail:

For 48 hours, with water up to our knees, soaked to the skin, practically no water to drink, and dead beat, those splendid boys ‘stood to,’ fought, and bombed, and held on. It was glorious to see how when one man was killed another took his place, and, when he fell, a third man. They were all heroes.

F. Loraine Petrie OBE, The History of the Norfolk Regiment, Vol II 1914-1918, (Norwich: Jarrold and Sons,Ltd.), p.260.

The War Diary notes there were 248 casualties: 9 officers and 239 ‘other ranks’.

www.bunwellhistory.co.uk/World%20War%20I%20Chapter%20rev%...

 

18.10.1916 Battalion War Diary

 

Attack launched at 3.40 a.m., part of Mild Trench being successfully occupied.

Casualties 239 O.R and the following Officers

Killed: 2/Lt Page T.S.

Wounded:

…2/Lt Beesley, R.G.G.

…2/Lt Clarke, J.W.

….Capt.Rowell, C.G.S.

…2/Lt Henshall

…2/Lt Cowles, W.R.

…2/Lt Gravestock

 

Missing:

…2/Lt Page, J.C.

…2/Lt Badcock, H.J.

 

(18 O.R. joined for duty).

 

From the Battalion War Diary.

 

Report on Operations on 18th October

……………....by………………….

……Lt.Colonel B.H.L PRIOR…….

Commanding 9th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment.

 

On receipt of Operation Orders to take over the line held by the 18th Inf. Bde. I met the O/C D.L.I. and West Yorks and arranged for guides to meet the Battalion at 18th Inf. Bde.H.Q. at 5 p.m. Only two guides from the D.L.I. were there and relief was delayed three hours pending the arrival of the West Yorks guides. The guides when they did arrive were most indifferent but the relief was effected with one casualty only, by 2 a.m. My distribution had been A.Coy right half front line, C.Coy left half, D.Coy left flank, bombing posts and sap, B Company support trenches.

 

I visited the line at day-break and as the line seemed crowded drew out C Coy into RAINBOW TRENCH. I met the G.O.C. in the front line and subsequently returned with him to Bde.H.Q. where the details of the attack were settled subject to orders.

 

On my return I got out written orders for the attack and saw the whole of my Company Commanders and explained my wishes. Orders from the Brigade did not arrive till late which was unfortunate as it precluded my going round the line with my Company Commanders.

 

During the whole of the afternoon the Battalion was subjected to a heavy bombardment at times growing intense and many casualties were sustained. In addition a heavy rain set in making the ground a quagmire. At midnight I again went round the line and found that the positions allotted were not properly taken up. I was engaged for three hours endeavouring to out things straight. The rain had converted the trenches and “No Mans Land” into a quagmire. Although the men had been instructed to cut steps in the parapet to enable them to get out quickly at zero, the clay was so saturated with water that it was most difficult to get out of the trench.

 

I went over the top from the front to the support lines in which was the second wave and could only make the slowest progress, each shell-hole had become a slimy sticky obstacle. I knew then that it would be impossible for the advance to be carried out under the barrage, i.e. that however willing, it was a physical impossibility for the troops to advance at the rate fixed. The G.O.C. had placed a Company of 1st Leicestershires at my disposal for the attack but I decided not to use them for the following reason:-

The attack determined upon could not be carried out on the lines planned in the weather conditions existing. It must either fail totally or partially or succeed because the enemy was suffering equally from the adverse conditions prevailing.

It was of course not within my province to postpone the attack, other troops being involved in the assault and I could not communicate with the G.O.C. because I had to go round and personally see to things that would not have been necessary had my Coy. Commanders been more experienced and better trained. I therefore decided not to put the Coy of Leicestershires into the assault but hold them in hand so that if the assault failed I should have sufficient troops to hold the line against counter attack.

 

At zero the assault was launched but in the circumstances described the troops were not immediately under the barrage at the start and could not keep up with it, as a result when half way across the Bosche had opened up extremely fierce gun and M.G.fire. Two platoons of the right Coy lost direction and went over to the right, the centre Coy inclined too much to the left. Despite heavy losses parties of the first line succeeded in entering the Bosche trenches and if it had been possible for the second wave to have moved up promptly, the whole line would I think have been captured and consolidated. The second wave were slow, lost direction and only a few joined up with the first wave the remainder returning to SHINE TRENCH.

 

After the assault had been launched, I returned to Battalion Headquarters but after waiting a long time and receiving no information I went up to SHINE TRENCH to make a personal reconnaissance. On my way I received the first and only message sent from the front during the whole day. This was from 2/Lieut. Cubitt and was to the effect that his platoon had made their objective but was flanked by Bosche on both sides and was short of bombs and ammunition. I at once organized a bomb carrying party. This was taken out by 2/Lieut. Blackwell who throughout the whole operations shewed extraordinary gallantry and fine leadership; the Bosche were cleared out and junction was established with 2/ Lieut.Cubitt’s platoon. This was in the West end of MILD TRENCH and 2/Lieut. Blackwell at once took over command and organized this trench for defence and establishing a junction with the 2nd Hants Regt. at the Sunken Road.

 

During the whole day this captured trench was subjected to heavy bombardment and M.G. fire and at nightfall was counter-attacked by the Bosche in two waves under a heavy barrage, The assault was checked by two Lewis Guns and by the Garrison throwing out hand grenades. Their rifles were choked with mud and the men had nothing dry and clean left to clean them with. Twice during the day this trench and SHINE TRENCH were heavily bombarded by what appeared to be our own Artillery.

 

I could get no definite information as to what had happened on the Right and Centre but it appeared that though the Boche position had been entered in several places the attack as a whole had failed on this part of the front. Men of the Right, Centre and second wave Companies were scattered promiscuously along SHINE TRENCH and I gave orders for their re-organisation and removal to the support and RAINBOW Trenches. This was effectually carried out and the front line re-established as follows:-

SHINE TRENCH “A” and “C” Companies 1st Leicestershire Regt

MILD TRENCH and supporting saps “D” Company 9th Norfolk Regt

Support Trench “C”Company 9th Norfolk Regt

RAINBOW TRENCH “A” and “B”Companies 9th Norfolk Regt.

 

Two platoons of my Right Company undoubtedly got into CLOUDY TRENCH North of the Suffolk Regt. line but I have not been able to find what happened to them.

 

Another platoon of the Centre Company also reached the Boche line and late in the evening it was reported to me that some of them had been seen in the Boche Trench. I detailed a party under 2nd Lieut. DYE to try and get in touch with this platoon but on leaving the trench the Boche put up such a big machine gun fire that I ordered the platoon to withdraw and ordered 2nd Lieut. Blackwell to send out a strong patrol after dark to ascertain if this party was in fact in MILD TRENCH. 2nd Lieut. BLACKWELL took over this patrol and went upwards of one hundred yards along MILD TRENCH without seeing any signs of this party. He also noted that on this frontage the Bosche had apparently evacuated the trench. The relief of the line by the 1st Worcester Regt. was effected by 12.30 a.m.

 

I should like to bring the following facts to your notice:-

I took over the command of this Regiment on the first instant on their coming out of the trenches. The Battalion had lost 20 Officers in the attack on the Quadrilateral and in addition to the Adjutant, Q.M,. L.G. Officer and Transport Officer had only five Company Officers left. Of these, three were badly shaken. The Battalion had been converted into two provisional Companies under the command of Major LATHAM, now Commanding the Suffolk Regt. and two days previously Major LEWIS of the Leicester Regt. had joined as second in command. The Regiment suffered to the extent of four hundred and seventy casualties at the QUADRILATERAL and had been filled up with drafts, many of whom were little trained.

 

I had therefore to entirely reform the Unit, find Company Commanders and Officers and make new N.C.O.’s throughout the unit. I carried this out to the best of my ability. On the 5th October a batch of 9 Officers arrived and subsequently other Officer drafts came in. With one exception they were all Second Lieutenants and I had therefore to pick out three Company Commanders from 2nd Lieutenants. While I have the greatest admiration for the way these Officers endeavoured to carry out their duties I am bound to say that they had not sufficient training or experience to at once assume command of Companies in the field. On taking over the trenches I found that I had to see into matters and carry out work which the Company Commanders, had they the necessary training, would have relieved me of.

 

The men behaved extremely well in the most trying circumstances. The majority had not been under shell fire before and were called upon to make an attack after a very heavy bombardment and whilst they were wet and cold and the ground was a perfect morass. The behaviour of “D” Company was exceptionally fine. They were under constant shell fire, machine fire and rifle fire during the entire time they were up but every time I visited them they were cheerful. The Bosche came out three times against them, once the serious counter-attack under barrage already referred to, but each time they repulsed him.

 

I should like to draw attention to the fact that the drafts now sent out from home do not appear to have adequate instruction in the value of the rifle. I noticed, not only in the case of my own unit, but also in the case of the two Leicester Companies attached to me, that they made no real attempt to shoot the Bosche though there were ample opportunities. On the other hand the Bosche snipers obtained complete mastery and killed a number of our men without any adequate retaliation.

 

While I deeply regret the failure of the attack on the right and centre, I am certain from the spirit shown by Officers and men that had weather conditions been favourable they would have been successful. At the same time the failure is partly due to the fact that the Company Commanders, while trying their best, had neither the experience nor the training to adequately organize and lead their Companies in the field. Moreover they had not had a sufficient opportunity of getting to know their N.C.O.’s and men.

 

(The 71st Brigade War Diary then contains a memo from both the Brigade Commander and the Divisional Commander around the failures of attacks made on the 12th, 18th and 19th on these trenches and broadly comes to the same conclusions as Lieutenant Colonel Prior. The Divisional Commander in particular points out to those higher up the command structure the short-sightedness of being forced to close down the Divisional Schools on moving to the Somme front because of lack of suitable accommodation as these would have addressed a number of the issues being raised.)

 

Done