Francis Joseph Watson

In 1916 he enlisted into the third volunteer battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and carried out duties in the detachment until he joined up enlisting at Doncaster on 1st October 1917 in to the 6th battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, he fought in France and Flanders. He was killed by a shell near Ypres on 29th April 1918,at this time he was attached to the 98th Field Company, Royal Engineers. The following letter was received by his mother from the Officer Commanding his platoon – 2/Lt. FW Moss, 8th Leicestershire Regt, Attached 98 Field Coy, RE BEF France, 30/4/18. Dear Madam I much regret to inform you that your son, No 4785 Pte. FJ Watson, of the 6th Battalion Leic. Regt. And attached to 98 Field Coy. RE, was killed yesterday morning, 29/4/18. He was in a bivouac along with a number of other men when a shell burst close to the bivouac. Pte Watson was killed instantaneously. I can assure you that he would feel no pain and that he would know nothing at all about it. You may like to know that the lad was buried in the afternoon by the Divisional Church of England Chaplain, at the corner of a little wood, well behind the lines, and a memorial erected on his grave. The location of this has been notified to the proper authorities. In conclusion, I can only point out that your son has laid down his life for his country, just as surely as any man who is killed in a battle, for he was on duty at the time. With assurance of sympathy for you in your sorrow. I am dear Madam Your obedient servant FW Moss [2/Lt FW Moss, KIA 28 May 1918] His mother also received a letter from the Chaplain as follows – 11th May 1918 Dear Mrs Watson … Your son was killed by a high velocity shell which struck the hut he was in, and his death was quite instantaneous, so that he cannot have suffered any pain; in fact he cannot have known anything about it … He was buried at 1pm on April 29th and his grave is against those of four other brave men who gave their lives on the same day for their country and their homes. A cross stands over the grave, and his name and regiment and the date of his death is inscribed upon it. The funeral service, which was attended by the CO of the Field Coy. and as many others as were able to come, was most impressive. We read as the lesson St John 6 Verse 37-40. I only wish I could express to you all our sympathy for you. It seems especially sad as your son only landed in France a month before. But we out here all fully understand how tremendous a share the mothers of England have in the great sacrifice which the country is having to make in ridding the world of evils even worse than death, and winning peace and freedom for the world. May our Heavenly Father who gave his only Son to die that we might live for ever in His Eternal Home of Peace and Happiness bless and comfort you, and give you strength to bear your great sorrow. I am, yours very sincerely Hugh F Sawbridge Chaplain, 110th Infantry Brigade, BEF

He is buried in Klein-Vierstraat British cemetery A bible was donated to St Nicholas parish church by his parents (now in the Nottingham Archives) with an inscription reading 'In loving memory of Francis J Watson 6th Leicesters attached Royal Engineers,killed April 29th 1918,aged 18 years ,from his parents.'