Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Benjamin Watson was born May 26th 1893 in Middle Rainton, County Durham, the eldest son and one of 9 children, 2 boys, 5 girls and 2 deceased (gender unknown) born to Michael Watson 1864, a coal miner-hewer born in Coxhoe and his wife Fanny May West 1871, Rainton County Durham. The family moved from Rainton to Craghead in about 1900 taking up home at 28, Thomas Street, Craghead. At the age of 17 Benjamin was working as a colliery labourer.
Benjamin Watson enlisted in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, November 18th 1914 and was assigned as Private 22161 Durham Light Infantry, 15th Battalion. His training took place between Aylesbury, Hatton Park and Witley, he embarked, as part of the British Expeditionary Force, for France, October 9th 1915. The 15th Battalion was attached to the 64th Brigade, 21st Division and took part in the Battles of the Somme at Albert, Bazentin Ridge and Flers-Coucelette. Benjamin was involved in a gas attack, suffering from poisoning he was taken to the 38th Casualty Clearing Station, July 22nd 1916, at Bray sul Somme, on to the 3rd Canadian Company at Etaples and finally admitted to the 3rd Canadian General Hospital at Boulogne, August 13th 1916. He returned to Etaples, August 24th, re-joining the 14th Battalion in the field, August 25th 1916, participating in the Battle of Morval where he was shot in the head and right shoulder September 16th. Once again he was hospitalised at the 2nd General Hospital in Etaples and did not return to the colours until December 2nd 1916, re-joining the 15th Battalion in the field. 1917 was the beginning of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Arras, Second and Third Battles of Ypres and the operations at Cambrai. November 1917 the German High command decided to make a decisive attack the following spring, their target was to destroy the British Army. They believed the British were exhausted by the four major efforts made during 1917. By mid-February they had moved divisions from the Eastern Front to the west. Their plan, to push back the British Army to the Flanders coast thus trapping it, this is referred to as the First Battle of the Somme which lasted March 21 to April 5th 1918.
Private 22161 Benjamin Watson Durham Light Infantry was killed in action on the first day of battle, March 21st 1918. His sacrifice is recorded panel 68-72 of the Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France. The memorial commemorates over 14,000 United Kingdom casualties and 300 South African Forces who have no known grave and perished on the Somme from March 21st to August 7th 1918.
His father Michael received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Benjamin Watson was 25 years old and single.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Benjamin Watson is remembered at Craghead on C120.01 C120.02 and C120.04
