Regimental number | 994 |
Place of birth | Rodney Victoria |
Religion | Methodist |
Occupation | Farmer |
Address | Nanneella, Victoria |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 23 |
Next of kin | Father, Joseph Watson, Nanneela, Victoria |
Enlistment date | |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 21st Battalion, D Company |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/38/1 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A38 Ulysses on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | 2nd Corporal |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 24th Battalion |
Fate | Returned to Australia |
Medals |
Military Medal 'During theattack on MONTEBREHAIN, east of PERONNE, on 5th October, 1918, this N.C.O. established a section post of riflemen. Seeing that the posts on his left were having trouble in consolidation, Lance Corporal WATSON went out under heavy machine gun fire and, having recovered a Lewis gun from a casualty, used it to great advantage on the enemy, thus giving the necessary covering fire, which enabled the posts on the left to consolidate on a general line. With his gun he effectively silenced three enemy machine guns which were causing us considerable casualties. He remained in his forward position with his section until the line in rear had been thoroughly consolidated, when he withdrew to his place in the new line. By the skilful handling of his gun Lance Corporal WATSON then succeeded in dispersing several parties of the enemy, and killed at least 18 of them. His timely action at a critical juncture was of great assistance to his Company.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 119 Date: |
Date of death | |
Place of burial | Preston Cemetery |