Name
Bertie Watson
1893
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/08/1916
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
18679
Bedfordshire Regiment
6th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
PHILOSOPHE BRITISH CEMETERY, MAZINGARBE
I. J. 6
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin, We are not aware of any Charlton memorial
Pre War
Bertie was born in 1893 in Hitchin (SDITGW states Charlton, census states Hitchin), his parents were Charles and Emma Watson.
In 1901 the family were living at Charlton, near Hitchin. Present were both parents: Charles (42) and Emma (40), with Charles working as a coal carter. Their children were: Frank (12), Bertie (7) and Arthur (1).
By 1911 the family were still living in Charlton. Present were both parents, Charles now recorded as a coal porter for a coal merchant. The census recorded they had been married for 27 years with 11 children, of whom 5 had died. Of the children listed above Frank was missing, Bertie was recorded as 17 and working as a farm labourer. They had a new sister, Elsie (8).
Before the war worked for Major Curling at Offley Holes Farm.
Officially Bertie was recorded as born in Charlton, Herts. and was living there when he enlisted in Hitchin.
Wartime Service
Bertie was allocated Regimental Number 18679 and posted to the 6th Battalion of the Bedfords. He landed in France on 30 September 1915.
On the 12th July 1916 he was admitted to hospital in Etaples suffering from gunshot wounds, but returned to his unit after six days. Later he was severely wounded and died in hospital.
The 6th Battalion arrived at Mazingarbe between Loos and Bethune in the Pas de Calais on the 24th August 1916 and went into trenches in the Loos Salient the following day as part of the 37th Division.
He is buried in Plot 1, Row J, Grave 6, in the Philosophe British Cemetery in Mazingarbe, France. The grave next to him is that of fellow townsman Arthur Titmuss and their deaths almost certainly took place as a result of the same engagement.
Additional Information
After his death £11 2s 11d pay owing was authorised to go to his father, Charles, on 3 March 1917. Later, a war gratuity of £7 was authorised to be paid to him on 7 September 1919.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Brenda Palmer
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
