Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Robert Watson Jnr, one of 10 children of whom only 8 survived, was the eldest of 2 brothers and had 5 sisters.
His father Robert Watson Snr was born at Newburn, district of Castle Ward, Northumberland, in 1864, sadly his mother Ann Dryden died only 36 years of age, when Robert Snr was 13, his father, also named Robert brought up his 5 children alone.
Robert Watson Snr was married in the district of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, March 15th 1875, to Rachael Scorer, born 1855 at Earsdon, Northumberland, the following year, 1876, their daughter Jane was born in the civil parish of Black Callerton, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, as were Mary 1877 and Isabella 1879, Robert supported his family employed as a joiner/cartwright and they lived at Cartwright Cottage. Over the next 10 years he and his wife had a further 4 children, Hannah 1883, Sarah Elizabeth, July 18th 1885, Robert Jnr 1888 and Eleanor Mary in 1890 whilst they were living at Newcastle and Stamfordham Road, Jane (15) was employed at Low Newbiggin in the home of farmer George Meek, his wife Frances, and sons George and John, as a general servant. Their youngest child Percy was born in 1895 and by 1901 Isabella (22) a dressmaker, was the eldest living at home, she and Robert Jnr (13) a pit boy, assisted their father with the maintenance of the household, their sister Mary had also gone into service with the Scott family, farmers at Widdrington. Having moved to Westerhope by 1911 Robert Snr was a cartwright for his own account working from home, Robert Jnr (23) had found work at the colliery as a hewer as had Percy (16) a pony driver below ground, Eleanor Mary assisted her mother in the home, living with them was Stanley Watson (13), grandson, who had lived with them since birth.
Robert was married in the district of Castle Ward, Northumberland, during the 2nd quarter (Apr/May/Jun) 1912 to Annie Bilcliffe, their daughter Elizabeth was born December 20th 1920.
After the declaration of war all regiments raised new battalions in answer to Kitchener’s call to arms, between August 4th and the end of September 1914 half a million volunteers had come forward to form the New Armies. Robert Watson enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland and was assigned as Private 18688 to the 11th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers which had been formed at Omagh, September 1914, initially attached to the 3rd Brigade, Ulster Division by November 1914 it was renamed the 109th Brigade, 36th Division. The men trained at Dufferin and Ava Estate at Clandeboye, County Down, before transferring to Sussex in England. Private Watson departed with his regiment, October 5th 1915. At the time of his departure he left his wife with two young children as January 29th 1915, Annie had given birth to their son Robert Jnr.
Having landed in France they made their way to Abbeville by the 21st, away from the fighting, they remained in training during the winter, taking over the front line between the River Ancre and the Mailly-Mailley to Serre road in February 1916, which was extended during March to Thiepval Wood. The 36th Ulster Division participated during the opening Battles of the Somme at Albert, July 1st-13th and were one of the few divisions to reach their objective at Thiepval Wood, crossing the 400 yards of No-Man’s Land entering Schwaben Redoubt sustaining 5,000 casualties on July 1st. Although they remained on the Western Front they did not take part in any other major battles on the Somme.
Private Watson would have learnt in news from home that his sister Jane Ann who had married John Willey, had died, November 6th 1916.
The grief of her parents and family was compounded as Private 18688 Robert Watson 11th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, died, January 16th 1917 and interred at Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, grave IV. A. 85. St Omer was the General H.Q. of the British Expeditionary Force but also a large hospital centre. The cemetery contains single spaced graves but as casualties increased two persons were buried in each plot and gravestones were placed touching one another to gain space. There are conflicting reports as to the cause of Private Watson’s death, his medal index card states, “died of wounds,” his pension record, “pneumonia commencing active service,” the Register of Soldiers Effects mentions neither, only the date of death. In the absence of his military record the facts remain unconfirmed.
His widow Annie of Callerton Lane Ends, Westerhope, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, received all monies due to him, his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal also a pension of 22 shillings 11 pence awarded, July 12th 1917 to be received weekly as of July 23rd 1917, for herself and their children until each in turn was 16 years of age. As Mrs R. Watson she commissioned at a cost of 4 shillings 1 pence an additional inscription to be added to her husband's military headstone, it reads, “God’s Will Be Done.” Private Robert Watson was 29 years of age.
Further details as regards Annie Watson nee Bilcliffe, and daughter Elizabeth, unknown. Robert Watson died in 1991 registered at Northumberland Central.
Robert Watson’s mother Rachael Watson nee Scorer (63) died 1918, Robert Watson Snr (78) in 1924 both registered in the district of Castle Ward, Northumberland.
It should be noted the CWGC have listed Private Watson as having served with the 1st/1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling, which implies a Territorial Force, however, the Territorial and Reserve Act of 1907 did not call for the creation TF units in Ireland the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers had no TF Battalions.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Robert Watson is remembered at Whorlton on W53.01
