1914 Star (1212 Sjt. C. T. Southwick, 1/13 Lond. R.) good very fine £70-90

Charles Thomas Southwick was born in Kinson, Dorset and educated at the Secondary School, Broughty Ferry and St. Mark’s College, Chelsea. On leaving the latter he became an Assistant Master at the Vineyard School, Richmond. He joined the 13th Kensingtons on 1907 and volunteered for overseas service at the start of the war. As a Serjeant he went to France in November 1914 and was killed in action in the attack on Aubers Ridge, 9 May 1915, aged 28 years.

From letters received from the front, it was reported that in the action, Serjeant Southwick with his platoon reached the second German trench, where a piece of shrapnel broke the glasses he was wearing. Then, a volunteer being called for to return to the British lines to request reinforcements, he undertook the dangerous task. He was seen to depart but was never seen again. Having no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial.

He was the son of Charles and Mary Annie Southwick, of Heatherly, Dorset, and husband of Lilian Francis Southwick, of The Bridle Path, Woodford Green. With copied biographical details.