Commanding Officer First Battalion (August 1940 -January 1942)

Commander 6 Canadian Infantry Brigade (January – 19 August 1942)

William Wallace “Bill” Southam attended Royal Military College from 1918 to 1922, graduating with the Cadet rank of CM (Company Sergeant Major). He immediately joined the 48th Highlanders of Canada in 1922 at age 21. He was employed in increasing responsible positions as a militia officer.  At the outbreak of the Second World War he was serving as Officer Commanding “B” Company, 48th Highlanders of Canada.

When the order to Mobilize was received on Friday evening I September 1939 the regiment was ready. A volunteer parade was held the next day and on Monday 4 Sept, Labour Day, the 48th Recruiting Office was open. Major Bill Southam was among these original volunteers. On 5 Sept the militia unit held its last route march and then was disbanded and 1st Battalion, 48th Highlanders CASF. was created.  His appointment as Second-in-Command (2iC) of the 1st Bn was effective 4-Sep-39. On 17-Dec-39 the 1st Battalion, 48th Highlanders left Toronto by train for Halifax, where they boarded the Reina del Pacifico which joined a  convoy bound for the Glasgow. After Christmas at sea they dropped anchor on 30 Dec and then travelled by train to Aldershot where they occupied Corunna Barracks.

Training began immediately, but for the 48th, and Major Bill Southam, it was interrupted briefly on 13 June 1940. As part of a last ditch effort to shore up the collapsing French army, The Ist Canadian Infantry Brigade, including 1st Battalion, 48th Highlanders went deep into France. The 48th, landing in Brest on 13 June made the deepest penetration, reaching Sable-sur-Sarthe almost 300 kilometres inland. Instructed to return, which they did by taking over their train at gunpoint, they arrived in St. Malo on the 16th, boarded one of two ships remaining in harbour and returned to Southhampton.In August 1940, Southam was promoted Lieutenant Colonel and appointed to command the battalion.

As CO, he was known for his high expectations and standards. He believed that the greatest security he could offer his men was to have them well trained and self assured of their capabilities. He was well liked by his fellow officers and respected by the men who nicknamed their CO “Pegleg”, because of his uneven gait which was most noticeable on the forced marches he led for battlefield hardening. On 11 January 1942, a short 18 months after assuming command he was again promoted, this time to Brigadier. He was appointed commander of 6th Brigade within 2nd Canadian Division. On 19 August 1942, the brigade participated in the ill-fated Dieppe raid. Southam remained with his brigade and was captured on the beach. He was awarded the DSO for his role in the operation. Brigadier Southam was transferred to FLAG VII B, Eichstatt, Germany where he remained a prisoner of war until the end of the war.

Personal
William Wallace Southam was born 11 Sept 1901. He attended Lake Lodge School in Grimsby, Ontario followed
by Royal Military College in Kingston. In his civilian career he was employed with and a director of Southam Company Limited. He died in 1950.