John Watson
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
John Watson known as Jack was born on 17th December 1895 at Derby, he was baptised on 27th January 1896 at Holy Trinity Church at Derby he was the son of the late Robert Watson, of Scarrington, Notts a hotel keeper and of Rosetta Jane Watson née Hall of 369, Hamilton Rd., London, Ontario, Canada. One Of Three Brothers Who Fell.
His father Robert was born in 1851 at Scarrington, he died in 1899 at Derby he was 48 yrs old, his mother Rosetta Jane Hall was born in 1858 at Redcar, Yorkshire, they were married on 21st August 1890 at St Mary's Church, Nottingham, they went on to have 5 sons, Robert born 1892, Thomas Frank born 1892, Hugh born 1893, Edward born 1892 and John born 1895.
In the 1911 census John Watson is living at 4 Stensham Road, Balsall Heath Birmingham, he is 15 yrs of age no occupation he is a nephew of Mary Robinson 45 yrs a widow and baording house keeper,
Three of their sons were to die in the Great War - Edward of the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Regiment died on 7th August 1917, Hugh of the 11th Hussars died on 13th May 1915.
His mother Rosetta Jane emigrated in 1920 to Ontario, Canada, she died in Canada on 9th December 1943 at London, Ontario, Canada.
Private John Watson enlisted at Wolverhampton, he initially served with the service number 14581 in the South Staffordshire Regiment, he served with the 10th battalion Lincolnshire Regiment when he was killed in action on 1st July 1916 the first day of the battle of the Somme having no known grave his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.
as both of his brothers who died in the Great War Edward and Hugh have no direct connection with the Nottinghamshire area they are not included in the Nottinghamshire Roll of Honour.
additional research and information Peter Gillings
Photo of John Watson
Thiepval Memorial,