Name
Walter John Watson
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
13/11/1916
29
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
23621
Bedfordshire Regiment
4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Addenda Panel.
France
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
Watford Congregational Church Memorial,
St James' Church Memorial, Watford Fields
Pre War
Son of Mary Ann (nee BIRCH) WATSON of Watford, and the late John WATSON.
His parents married 10 December 1877 at St Andrew’s, Watford. John died 1890 in Watford aged 45, and was buried 25 April in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Mary died 21 May 1935 in Watford aged 79, and was buried 30 May, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Walter was born 1887 in Watford, and baptised 16 December 1887 at St Mary’s, Watford. He resided in Watford.
On the 1891 Census, aged 3 he lived in Watford, with his widowed mother and two siblings. On the 1901 Census, aged 13 he still lived in Watford, with his widowed mother and one sibling. On the 1911 Census, a chocolate refiner aged 23, he still lived in Watford, with his widowed mother and one sibling.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Watford; was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, and was killed in action during a successful attack at Beaucourt near Beaumont-Hamel.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, Walter’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
