Col/Sgt Archibald Thomas Southam, RDF

 

1868 Jan 8. Born Kensington, London

1871 census living with his family in Islington

1880 Sep 18. Joined 103rd Foot, RDF in Bradford as Boy Soldier Claimed he was born in 1866 . Appointed Drummer #3962

1881 census He is a 14 year old Boy Soldier in Barracks at Bradford

1881 Dec 7. Arrived at Salford

1882 Aug 28. Arrived at Aldershot

1882 Sep 5 Found fit for active service

1884 Jan 10 Departed United Kingdom

1884 Jan 15 Arrived at Gibraltar with 2nd Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers

1885 Feb 27 Arrived at Alexandria, Egypt

1885 Dec 11 Arrived at Cairo, Egypt

1886 Feb 19 Departed Egypt

1886 Mar 4 - Arrived at India

1886 Mar 5. Arrived at Poona

1886 Mar 31. Reverted to Private

1886 Apr 1. Appointed L/Cpll (with pay)

1888 Jan 10. Arrived at Nasirabad

1888 Dec 1. Promoted Corporal

1889 Nov 18 Arrived at Neemuch

1890 Feb 19 Appointed Lance Sergeant (unpaid)

1890 Mar 8 Arrived at Nasirabad

Attended the Deolali School of Musketry

1891 Feb 6 Sailed on HMS Euphrates from India

1891 Mar 5. posted to Depot at Naas, Ireland

1891 Mar 10 Promoted Sergeant and posted to 3rd Battalion. Permanent Staff

1891 Mar 17 Arrived at Naas

1892 Married Rose Baker at Naas

 

 

1893 Jun. Company Catering Cooking Certificate

1895 Oct 1. Promoted Colour Sergeant

1896 May 5. Arrived at the Curragh

1896 Jun 27 Arrived at Naas

1898 Oct 1. Awarded Long Service and Good Conduct Medal

1900 May 5 Arrived at Grangefield and Gosport to join the 3rd Royal Dublin Fusiliers serving on embodiment at this station during the Boer War

1900 Oct 18 Arrived at Naas

1904 Sep 30 Discharged from Army

1911 Census, retired and living in Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock2, Dublin. Archibald appears to be employed at The Meath Industrial School, on Caryfort Avenue, and is living in a house within the grounds.

rejoined in WW1, but never served abroad (MIC)

8 Aug 1914 re-enlisted at the Curragh into the Royal Dublin Fusiliers and posted to the Depot promoted Colour-Sergeant

10 Aug 1914 posted to 6th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers and Appointed Acting Company sergeant major

11 Aug 1914 posted to 7th Service Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers as an Instructor at Naas

13261 Acting Company sergeant major Archibald Southam, ‘B’ Company, 7th Service Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers

10 Sept 1914 arrived at the Curragh

12 Jan 1915 Relinquishes Appointment from Acting Company sergeant to Colour Sergeant

2 Feb 1915 arrived at Royal Barracks, Dublin from the Curragh

16 Feb 1915 Posted to 4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers at Sittingbourne, Kent

4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion returned to Ireland at the end of 1915, going to Templemore

April 1916 4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion moved to Mullingar

July 1916 He proceeded to Etaples, France conducting a draft from the 4th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers at Mullingar

13-14 July 1916 absent forfeits 2 days’ pay

Sept 1916 He proceeded to Etaples, France conducting a draft from the 4th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers at Mullingar

Nov 1917 4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion went to Brocklesby, North Lincolnshire

1 May 1918 transferred to 3rd Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers at Grimsby

23 Sept 1918 posted to the Depot for recruiting duties

22 Nov 1918 posted to 3rd Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers returned from recruiting duties

14 April 1919 volunteers for 1 years’ service for Army of Occupation

30 Aug 1919 posted to 1st Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers at Ponteland, Northumberland

15 Sept 1919 to Liverpool for employment on recruiting duties

15 Nov 1919 posted to the Depot

18 Dec 1919 returns from recruiting duties

21 Dec 1919 Depot, Royal Dublin Fusiliers at Naas.

17 April 1920 transferred to Class Z Reserve

1920 Apr 24 Died Dublin.Husband of R. Southam, of 17, South Dock Place, Ringsend, Dublin.

Buried Grangegorman

 

British soldiers died in Ireland