Ex-Sergeants’ Death—With much regret we have to record the death which occurred on Easter Monday, of Mr. John McCan Souter, M.M., aged 30, of 31 Little-street, Rushden, the result of pulmonary tuberculosis attributed to war service in France. The deceased, a time-serving soldier, had fought in the South African war, and was called up in August 1914, with the “old contemptibles.” As a corporal in the Royal Fusiliers he was awarded the Military Medal for a deed of great heroism in France. He carried a comrade, whose leg was fractured, back into safety from a German trench which had just been captured, all the time regardless of his own grave danger. During his four years’ service at the front he was twice gassed and twice wounded. He received the well-deserved promotion to the rank of sergeant. He was demobilised in January 1919, and since then, when he was able to work, he has been chauffeur to Messrs. Nurrish and Pallett. The hardships which he had suffered during the war were a continual trouble, and eventually, last Christmas, he had to take to his bed. Dr. Greenfield attended him frequently and did all that was possible to relieve his sufferings. His death on Monday was a great grief to his relatives. Deceased lost his wife in 1913. He leaves a young son to mourn his loss. Many sportsmen in the district will remember ex-Sergt. Souter as a player for the (old) Rushden Fosse F.C., on occasions for the Rushden Windmill, and later for Irchester united. He had been a very keen sportsman, and was the holder of several medals won in regimental football and other sports. Deceased was a member of the Irchester W.M.C.

The funeral took place yesterday afternoon at the Cemetery, Rushden, the Rev. R. H. Hanson (Curate of St. Mary’s) officiating. Mr. Arthur Sanders carried out the funeral arrangements. The coffin of polished elm with brass fittings, bore the inscription: “John McCan Souter, M.M.: Aged 30: Died April 17th 1922.” The family mourners were: Mr. E. Souter, of High (brother), Mrs. G. T. Cook, of Cambridge (sister); Mrs. H. G. Bland (sister), Mrs. E. Souter, of Higham (sister-in-law), Mrs. W. Clayton, of Rushden, Mrs. G. Knight, of Earls Barton (aunts); Mr. and Mrs. Looms, of Irchester (father-in-law) and mother-in-law).

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