Chester Samuel Sam Southworth

1939-1945 Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM) and Clasp, 1939-45 War Medal

Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry WW II

Sam Southworth was born 28 October 1922 in the Darlingford district, the third of four children of Edwin Southworth, a veteran of WWI, and Gladys Willmott Andrew. Sam grew up on the home farm until he was 13, when the family moved to Morden. He ended his schooling then, working for several families, and delivering the Winnipeg Tribune. He sawed, chopped, and stacked 10 cords of wood to earn money for a new Boy Scout uniform to wear when the Morden Troop met the King and Queen in Winnipeg in 1939.

On 29 April 1940 Sam enlisted with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry in Winnipeg, lying about his age as he was only 17. Training was at Fort Osborne Barracks, before shipping out to England later that spring. His battalion was posted to southern England until 1943, when they moved to Scotland to train as an invasion force. Sam trained in parachute landings, but as a married man, was not allowed to continue. Catherine (Kit) Jackson, from Crawcrook, County Durham, England, married Sam on 14 February 1942.

With 1st Division, 2nd Brigade Sam took part in the invasion of Sicily on 10 July 1943, and later battles, including Leonforte, as a Bren gunner. Sam was wounded four times, including a stomach wound at ‘Vino Ridge’, outside of Ortona, on 12 December 1943, when he was evacuated to North Africa for medical treatment, rejoining his unit in March 1944. He saw action in all major PPCLI battles throughout Italy (Gothic Line, Hitler Line, the Rivers) as well as the Liberation of Holland.

Sam arrived home in Morden 10 June 1945 and was discharged in Winnipeg on 18 July, with the rank of Sergeant. Kit joined him as one of 60,000 War Brides who came to Canada, arriving 24 August 1945. In 1946 they took over the family farm until April 1952, when they moved to Morden. Sam began work for the Dominion Experimental Farm, looking after the cattle. When cattle research was consolidated in Ottawa, he became a self-taught carpenter, eventually achieving journeyman status, continuing to work at the Research Station until his retirement in December 1984.

Sam was a leader of many volunteer activities. He held the post of District Coordinator of the Emergency Measures Organization for many years, with Kit as Secretary. As coordinator, Sam lead the annual fight against the flooding of the Dead Horse Creek, often commenting wryly on the wisdom of building the then hospital at the low end of town, with a ramp down to the emergency entrance! He was also part of the volunteer Fire Department for several years, including the year he fought a fire at his own home.

Sam’s love of sports was legendary; he refereed minor hockey, but was best known as an umpire, logging thousands of hours around the province. He was known for his honesty, even when one team was from Morden, and until the end of his life, was often approached and asked if he was ‘Crooked Sam’ the ump. He was instrumental in bringing Little League Baseball to Manitoba and was honoured for his efforts. When there were no organized teams for his daughters to play on, Sam helped start a girls’ softball league.

His involvement with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 11 began as soon as Sam returned from duty. He served in various posts, including Branch President and Zone Commander. He was a long-standing Sergeant-at-Arms of the Colour Party, but is perhaps best remembered as the Sports Convenor, organizing countless bonspiels, golf tournaments, darts and shuffleboard leagues, and youth sports for many years. Sam also served on the Board of Legion House One. He was awarded a Life Membership in recognition of his dedication.

Kit and Sam were married for 50 years, and had three daughters: Lynn, Dale, and Kelly. Kit passed away in August 1992, and Sam died on 11 March 2001. Though there are no longer Southworths in Morden, Sam’s many contributions to his community helped make Morden the city it is today.