| Regimental number | 634 |
| Place of birth | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Occupation | Railway porter |
| Address | 225 Sturt Street, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 25 |
| Height | 5' 9.5" |
| Weight | 139 lbs |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs M F Watson, 225 Sturt Street, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Place of enlistment | Keswick, South Australia |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 32nd Battalion, B Company |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/49/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A2 Geelong on |
| The 32nd Bn (Headquarters, Signallers, A, B, C, and D Companies) embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on two ships, HMAT A2 'Geelong', on 18 November 1915, and HMAT A13 'Katuna', on 24 November 1915. The Embarkation Roll does not distinguish between these ships, and it is therefore not possible from the Embarkation Roll to ascertain on which ship an individual embarked. | |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 32nd Battalion |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: John and Frances WATSON. Plaque in South Australian Garden of Remembrance. |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Embarked Adelaide, 18 November 1915; disembarked Suez, 18 December 1915. Found guilty, Tel el Kebir, 21 March 1916, of being incorrectly dressed - unshaven - at 0900 parade: admonished. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 17 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916. Reported Missing in Action, 20 July 1916; subsequently reported Prisoner of War, Germany. Repatriated from Germany, arrived England, 1 December 1918; marched in to No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, 4 January 1919. Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Nevasa', 5 March 1919; disembarked Adelaide, 18 April 1919; discharged (termination of period of enlistment), Adelaide, 18 June 1919. War service: 3 years 349 days (of which 3 years 159 days were abroad) Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Date of death | |
| Age at death | 31 |
| Place of burial | Prospect Cemetery, South Australia |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, WATSON John Elliot |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
