Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Francis Frederick Watson was born at Leamside, County Durham, December 27th 1896, the only surviving son of Robert Watson born 1862 and his wife Jane Ann Moore born 1872, both natives of Leamside who were married in the district of Houghton-le-Spring in 1891. His father was employed as a general labourer/coal miner at the bank (the head of the pit shaft) at the colliery in 1901 but was also the inn keeper at The Bonnie Lad Hotel in West Rainton where they lived. They moved to 14, Ridley Terrace, Heworth near Gateshead and it was here that their daughter Violet May was born in 1910, their only other surviving child having lost 3 children, gender unknown, in infancy. Francis Frederick at the age of 14 years was working as a coal cleaner and his father as a hewer, at Heworth Colliery.
On the outbreak of war in 1914 Francis Frederick was too young to enlist, he would have done so in 1915 once he had turned 18. He was assigned to the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, Nelson Battalion Royal Naval Division as Able Seaman Tyneside Z/5139. The battalion was one of 6 formed August 14th 1914, an idea of Winston Churchill the First Lord of the Admiralty, from the surplus men of the Naval Reserve but training was slow because resources were needed for the rapid expansion of the Army, they departed in early 1915 for Gallipoli (Turkey) landing April 24th-25th as part of the 63rd Royal Naval Division.
Able Seaman Tyneside Z/5139 Francis Frederick Watson Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve is recorded as having died of wounds, January 3rd 1916, aged 19 years and single. He was interred at Lancashire Landings Cemetery, Gallipoli, modern day Turkey, grave J. 114. Due to the nature of the land the cemetery does not contain the traditional style of war graves.
His father Robert Watson of 18, Major Terrace, Holly Hill, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham, commissioned at a cost of 11 shillings 4 pence an additional inscription to be added to his grave marker, it reads, Sorrow Vanquished-Labour Ended-Jordon Passed. Awards 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Francis Frederick Watson is remembered at Heworth as F.R. Watson on H92.03
