Reginald Rudge Watson
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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Reginald Rudge Watson was the son of William and Elizabeth Ann Watson born in Blyth on 29/5/1894. In 1898 his father died leaving his widowed mother to bring up the family. Reg began work as a clerk for an insurance company when he was 16 years old. And as soon as the war started he enlisted in the army. He was discharged and a record gives details of his entitlement to wear the Silver Badge ( Roll of Honour entitled to wear the Silver Badge – 175279 Pte Reginald R Watson, Q.O. Yorks Drgs, enlisted 1/9/1914, discharged 12/10/17, age 23 years 4 months, had served overseas – Badge number 266,684). Just over a year after his discharge, he died 15/12/1918 under the circumstances as stated in the local newspaper. As his death occurred as a civilian, he was not given a military burial or Commonwealth War Grave and was buried in Blyth churchyard
Pte Reginald R Watson Worksop Guardian 20 December 1918 It is with regret that the people of Blyth heard of the death of Pte Reginald Rudge Watson, son of Mrs Watson, which took place on Sunday evening after a long illness. The deceased soldier, who was 24 years of age, enlisted in the Queens Own Yorkshire Dragoons on Sept 1st 1914. He was sent to France in the following year and took part in the battles at Loos and the Somme. He was with the cavalry to first enter Bapaume. Later he was one of a small party selected for special observation work. In June of last year he was bought to Leicester Infirmary in a state of complete collapse due to gas poisoning, from the effects of which he sufficiently recovered to be able to come home in September. He obtained his discharge in October and went to the Sanatorium at Ventnor in the Isle of Wight where he remained for six months. He never regained his former strength, and he died on Sunday from heart failure. He was well known and greatly liked in Blyth, and sincere sympathy is felt for his mother and the other members of the family in their sorrow.
Buried in Blyth Churchyard (No Commonwealth War Grave as he had been discharged). Research by Colin Dannatt
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