Thomas Edward Watson

Thomas Edward was the son of John and Emma Watson. His father was born in Crowland, Lincolnshire, and his mother in Docking, Norfolk. They had eight children: Mary A b. Doncaster, John W b. Doncaster, George W b. Doncaster, Emma C b. Doncaster, Ellen R b. Colwick Nottingham, Alice B b. Stratford Commons, Lillie/Tillie b. Nottingham and Thomas Edward b. Nottingham 1893 (A/M/J Nottingham). John and Emma were living in Nottingham by 1891 with their seven children: Mary (19), John (17), George (15), Emma (13), Ellen (10), Alice (8) and Tillie/Lillie (4). In 1901 the family was living at 41 Willerslie Street, Nottingham, in the parish of Meadows St Saviour. John was a railway engine driver. All eight children were still living at home; John (27) a confectionary traveller, George (25) a cabinet maker, Emma (23) and Ellen (20) both blouse makers, Alice (18) who was helping at home, Tillie/Lillie (14) a jacket finisher for a tailor, and Thomas (7) who was still at school. Their mother, Emma died in 1907 age 58 (J/A/S Nottingham). In 1911 the widowed John, now retired as an engine driver, was living at 21 Atlas Street, with five of his eight children; Emma (33) and Ellen (30) who were still working as machinists in the linen trade, Alice (28) who was the family's housekeeper, Lillie/Tillie (24) a machinist (mantles) and Thomas (18) who was a cabinet maker. Thomas emigrated to Canada before the outbreak of war.