Ploegsteert Memorial
Ploegsteert Memorial
Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
Matthew was born at Chester-le-Street in 1892. No fewer than 13 children followed although sadly 3 died. They included George, Jane, James, Isaac, Sarah, Ralph, Joseph, Annie John and Mary.
In 1901 the family were living at Stargate at Ryton.,
Matthew married Elizabeth Beatrice Hildreth in 1913 and by the following year the couple had a young son, James. The couple lived at 1 Whitfield Street Sheriff Hill.
He enlisted into the army on 9 April 1915 and was at home until 16 July 1916.
His record shows him to be 5‘9” tall with good physical development He was Church of England.
He embarked at Folkestone in July 1916 sailing for Boulogne and from 20 July 1916 until 24 August 1916 he was in France. He served for a period of time with the 5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry as Private Souter Service Number 4147.
On 24 August 1916 he was transferred to a Brighton hospital suffering from acute appendicitis until he was fit enough to return to duty.
He was posted to 5th Battalion DLI at Etaples on 2 March 1917.
On 28 October 1917 he was wounded by a shell. He appears to have returned to his unit as on 12 April 1918 he was killed in action aged 26 years on that date.
After Matthew’s death Elizabeth received a pension of 19/6 weekly for herself and child. She married in 1920 James Murphy.
Medals:- British War Medal and Victory Medal
Matthew Souter is remembered at Gateshead Fell on G39.064
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 81