Virtual
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Australia

Stowmarket Post Thursday 24th August 1916 pg8
ROLL OF HONOUR
SOUTHGATE – On July 25th, killed in action in France, with the Australian Imperial Force, Samuel Southgate, the second and dearly loved son of Thomas and Alice Southgate, Jack’s Farm, Combs, aged 23 years.

Stowmarket Post Thursday 31st August 1916 pg5
A COMBS SOLDIER KILLED
It is with regret that we record the death, while in action in France, of Private Samuel Southgate, second son of Mr and Mrs Thomas Southgate, of Jack’s Lane, Combs. From a communication received by his parents it appears that Private S. Southgate was killed on July 25th by a high explosive shell, death being instantaneous. He was in the 12th Battalion (late 26th Battalion) Australian Imperial Force, serving with the British Expeditionary Force. Private Southgate was only 22 last birthday, and was well-known in Combs and district and very popular amongst all with whom he associated. He worked on his father’s farm, but three years ago next month he decided to go with his oldest brother, Private Thomas Southgate, who is also in the Army, to Australia. The eldest brother had an ambition to try his fortune abroad, and the two brothers left together for Queensland. In June of last year Samuel joined the 12th Battalion Imperial Forces, and afterwards left for Egypt, where he was stationed until April of this year, when he went to France, there to meet with his death. Private Thomas Southgate, the eldest son, is named after his father, and is 23 years old. Thomas, like his brother Samuel, was employed on the farm, leaving home when a youth for Essex, to become connected with a meat purveyor, with whom he served an apprenticeship. Thomas returned to Combs preparatory to his departure with his younger brother Samuel for Australia. Following their arrival in Queensland Thomas left for the Fiji Islands, and there he joined a large meat trading company. After a while he quitted the Fiji Islands, and returned to Queensland, and worked with his brother Samuel in the sugar cane. It was in October last that Thomas enlisted in an Australian Artillery Force. The two brothers being fine horsemen and well adapted for service, made splendid soldiers. Upon hearing of his brother’s death Thomas was granted leave of absence, and last week returned to his home at Combs. On Saturday Mr and Mrs Southgate received a letter from one of the soldiers in the regiment in which their son Samuel had served, expressing the deep sympathy of the men with the parents. Many letters have been received by Mr and Mrs Southgate, conveying sympathy with the family in the loss they have sustained. The family of Southgate is well respected and is also well known: the name of Southgate can be traced as far back as 1500.

Stowmarket Post Thursday 7th September 1916 pg7
Combs Men with the Australians
ONE KILLED
Private Samuel Southgate, 22 years of age, second son of Mr and Mrs Thomas Southgate, of Jack’s Lane, Combs, killed in action on July 25th, 1916, while serving in the 12th Battalion (late 26th Battalion) Australian Imperial Force, attached to the British Expeditionary Force.
Private Thomas Southgate, eldest son of Mr and Mrs Thomas Southgate, who is serving in the Australian Artillery Force. He is 23 years of age, and is a brother to Private Samuel Southgate, who has been killed in action.