Henry Souter was born in Perth on 21st April 1883, to John Souter (Seaman Merchant and later Tinsmith) b. 1836; and Jane Lennie, b. 1844.

In 1891, the Souter family were living at 19 Keir Street, Kinnoull, Perth: Mother, Jane; Son, John, b. 1868; Daughter, Mary b. c1871; Daughter, Elizabeth F. b. c1875; and Son, Henry Fraser. Also living at this address was William Suttie (23) who may have been a Lodger or a Domestic Servant. There was also another son William, who died in early childhood, before Henry was born.

In 1901, the family were living at 32 Pitcullen Terrace, Kinnoull, Perth. The older son John, who had been a theological student in 1891, had left home by this time, and Henry was employed as a Bank Clerk. Henry’s brother, John, married Janette R. Nicoll, and lived in Hamilton, Lanarkshire. His sister, Mary, married John Mackie Urquhart, and lived at Elmbank, Dollar, Clackmannanshire. His sister, Elizabeth, married Alexander Pratt, and lived in Edinburgh, before moving to Dollar. Henry’s father died before 1914, and his mother was living in Dollar when she died in 1928.

DE RUVIGNY’S ROLL OF HONOUR

“SOUTER, HENRY FRASER, Sergt., No. 51393, 14th Battn. (The London Scottish) The London Regt. (T.F.) s. of the late John Souter, of Perth, by his wife, Jane Lennie (Manse of Ardeonaig, Killin, co. Perth)"

"b Perth, 21 April, 1883; educ. Perth Academy; was one of the staff of the Chartered Bank of India, having served in London, Bombay, Colombo and at Yokohama"

"Being in London on the outbreak of war, joined the London Scottish 2 Sept. 1914; served with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in Egypt and Palestine and died at No. 60 Divisional Field Ambulance, Immobile, Palestine, 12 Dec. 1917, from wounds received in action at the taking of Jerusalem defences on the 8th. Buried at Kuriet Enab, 13 miles from Jerusalem. His Commanding Officer wrote: ‘He fell while leading his platoon into action under heavy fire. He proved himself to be a fine soldier, and behaved with the utmost gallantry at all times, setting a splendid example for those under him to follow.’ Unm.“ 

Henry Souter volunteered for service in August 1914 with the 2nd Battalion of the 14th London Regiment which was made up mainly of white-collar Scots in London. He trained in Richmond Park, London, Dorking in Surrey, Saffron Walden and then Winchester.

He may have been in one of the two companies sent to Cobh to suppress the Easter rising in 1916, but as soon as they got back from Ireland his battalion were sent to France in June of 1916.

The 2nd Battalion did not play a role in the first day of the Battle of the Somme, but did hold sections of trenches from July to November. They were then sent with the rest of the 60th (London) Division to Salonika, until June 1917, when they were sent to fight in Palestine via Egypt.

Henry Souter died of wounds acquired in the Battle of Jerusalem, 7th/ 8th December 1917, at which the Regiment was awarded its first Victoria Cross to Cpl. C.W. Train (Tumulus Hill), Jerusalem (one of the Regiments Battle Honours). 9 were killed and 64 were wounded in this action.

Henry Souter was 34 years of age.

Henry Souter is also commemorated on the Dollar United Free Church War Memorial and Roll of Honour; the Roll of Honour in the Regimental History of the London Scottish; in the Memorial Books in the Regimental Chapel at St. Columba’s Church, Pont Street, London; and on the Regimental War Memorial.