James Robson Watson
Ypres Reservoir Cemetery
Ypres Reservoir Cemetery
Ypres Reservoir Cemetery
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
James Robson Watson, one of 10 children of whom only 6 reached adulthood, was the 3rd eldest surviving son of 4 and had 2 elder and 1 younger sister, Mary Tucker Watson baptised February 11th 1901 who died aged 6 months. His father William Tucker Watson and mother Elizabeth Jane Robson, both natives of Gateshead, County Durham, born October 11th 1862 and September 18th 1863 respectively, were married at Gateshead, May 21st 1888. Working at the iron foundry whilst living at 38, Wylam Street, Gateshead, he supported his wife and daughter Ethel, born November 15th 1888. Nicholas was born June 26th 1892, James, August 26th 1894, Florence, October 24th 1895 and William Tucker Jnr, June 1st 1898, they now lived at number 83, Wylam Street. By 1911 they had moved to 16, Stanhope Street, William was still employed as an iron moulder and had been joined by Nicholas (19), James (16) was serving his apprenticeship as a fitter, his older sisters remained at home with their mother, William Tucker Jnr was a scholar. Son Allen Herbert was born August 20th 1915.
Although war was declared with Germany in 1914 James did not enlist until 1915 at Gateshead, assigned as Private 204309 to the 11th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, part of Kitchener’s Third New Army, joining his regiment initially at their barracks at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland. The main body of the regiment had departed for the Western Front, August 1915, his training complete he joined them in 1916. The 11th Battalion in January 1916 as part of the 68th Brigade, 23rd Division, was at rest camp near Bruay until March 3rd when they returned to the front line taking over the Boyau de L’Ersatz and Souchez River from the French 17th Division. Early March many of the battalion were transferred, due to their mining experience, to the Royal Engineers Tunnelling Company. Their tour complete the battalion returned to Bruay for a second rest period again taking over the Souchez front just before the German attack at Vimy Ridge, April 21st 1916 where they were in support of the 47th (London) Division. June 1st they began to move to the Somme and saw action including the Battle of Albert July 1st-13th where they captured Contalmaison, Bazentin Ridge July 14th-17th, Pozieres July 23rd-September 3rd, Morval, September 25th-28th and Le Transloy October 1st-18th 1916 before transferring to the Ypres salient in Belgium. They participated at the Battle of Messines, Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the 1st and 2nd Battles of Passchendaele before transferring to Italy in November 1917.
Private 204309 James Robson Watson was killed in action, September 20th 1917 the first day of the Battle of Menin Road. Post war during the clearing of the battlefields his remains were found at map reference J. 19. d. 60 .80, no cross was found and he was identified by means of a disc. June 21st 1921 he was brought into Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium for reburial with all honour and reverence by an Army chaplain, he is at rest grave IX. C. 18. At the time of his demise in 1917 he was 23 years of age and single.
His father received all monies due to him also his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to his home address of 16, Stanhope Street, Gateshead, County Durham. He commissioned on behalf of the entire family, at a cost of 13 shillings 8 pence, an additional inscription to be added to his son’s military headstone, it reads, “In Loving Memory Of Our Dear Son And Brother Rest In Peace”.
Elizabeth Jane Watson nee Robson died at Gateshead, aged 76 years, September 18th 1939, William Tucker Watson, May 31st 1945 aged 82 years, their daughter Ethel, March 1st 1976 at Stannington, Northumberland, Nicholas 1966, Florence 1987, William Tucker Jnr date unknown and Allen Herbert 1989 all registered at Gateshead, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
James Robson Watson is remembered at Gateshead on G39.004
