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Private William James Watson

Description

TitlePrivate William James WatsonSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionWilliam was born at Coalgate, 13 March 1884 second son of William and Elizabeth Mary Watson, Cardross Park, Coalgate. His last address was 13 Collins Street, Port Ahuriri, where he worked as a labourer for Richardson and Co. He was 5ft 10in tall, with a florid complexion, grey eyes and brown hair.

He enlisted on 15 August 1914 at Napier and he left with the Main Body 16 October 1914 with the Hawke's Bay Battalion, Wellington Infantry. He was in the landing at Gallipoli where he was wounded on 7 August, 1915, being shot through the left shoulder. He was first sent to St Patrick’s Hospital in Malta then sent to England on the HS Plassey where he was admitted to the New Crown Hospital, Cheltenham on 23 September 1915. After time at Hornchurch he re-joined his unit in the field in France on 16 April 1916. He was killed in action on 26 July aged 32. He was buried in the Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, France. During the three months the New Zealand Forces had been tasked with guarding this section of the Arnentieres trenches they suffered 2,500 casualties, including 375 killed. In New Zealand William is remembered on the Malvern County and South Malvern War Memorials.

First NameWilliam JamesLast NameWatsonAddress13 Collins Street, Port AhuririFamilySingleSecond son of William and Elizabeth Mary Watson, Cardross Park, CoalgateDate of Birth13 March 1884Place of BirthCoalgateDate of Death26 July 1916Place of DeathFranceCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death26

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CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageMalvern War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph

Military Service

Memorial or CemeteryCite Bonjean Military CemeteryMalvern County War MemorialSouth Malvern War MemorialOccupation before EnlistingLabourer Regiment or ServiceWellington Infantry RegimentEnlistment Details15th August 1914 at NapierService Number10/991 Embarkation16th October 1914

Attribution

Researched ByL. M. Seaton

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Private William James Watson