Dedicated to the memory of all the men and women of the Bridgnorth area who died during the two World Wars.
Ernest James Southwell was born in Bridgnorth, the son of James Southwell, a carpet weaver, and his wife Rose. He worked as a collector for an Assurance company and was married to Elizabeth.
On 1st September, 1914 he joined the Prince of Wales’s Volunteers (South Lancashire Regiment). He had previously served three years in the Territorials.
He was sent to France in September 1915, but his battalion was moved to Salonika almost immediately. In September 1916 he was returned home, sick or wounded. In January 1917, he went to France again with the 2nd Battalion where he was wounded in action. Subsequently he was transferred to 8th Battalion and was killed in action on 3rd August, 1917, during the Battle of Passchendaele. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
Corp Southwell, 13674, was awarded the Victory and British Medals and the 15 Star. His death was reported in the Bridgnorth Journal of 18th August, 1918.
This memorial has mostly been compiled from official sources. It would be good to be able to expand it with more personal material - memories, stories, photos, etc. If you have any suitable material or any corrections please contact Greg. For news of updates follow @BridgnorthHeros on Twitter.