| Regimental number | 1302 |
| Place of birth | Ipswich, Suffolk, England |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Dairy farmer |
| Address | Kilcunda Road, Bena, Victoria |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 22.7 |
| Height | 5' 8.5" |
| Weight | 136 lbs |
| Next of kin | Mother, Margaret Watson, 29 Beford Street, Ipswich, England |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 13th Light Horse Regiment, 6th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 10/18/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A38 Ulysses on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Driver |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 4th Field Artillery Brigade |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'On the night 7th/8th August 1918 these two drivers [Watson and 11835 E. Fry] were carting ammunition to a forward battery position East of VILLERS BRETONNEUX near AMIENS, when a heavy hostile battery opened fire on the road. One shell killed all the horses in the team, also breaking the pole of the wagon, thereby causing a block in the traffic in rear. These drivers under heavy shelling at once pulled the dead horses clear, placed the spare pole in the wagon, and making up a spare team from the other vehicles, hooked it in and delivered the ammunition to the gun position. By their prompt and courageous action, the congestion on the road was relieved and numerous casualties to personnel and horses avoided, as it was not possible for vehicles to turn on the narrow congested road.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61 Date: |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Demosthenes', 16 January 1919; disembarked Melbourne, 2 March 1919; discharged (termination of period of enlistment), Melbourne, 24 April 1919. Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Miscellaneous details | Address incorrectly entered on Embarkation Roll as Kulcunda Road, Bena. |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, WATSON John |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
