Sep 29, 1890

Born at Glasgow Scotland

Mar 25, 1911

Embarked the SS Scotian at Glasgow Scotland

Apr 3, 1911

Disembarked at Halifax Nova Scotia and proceeded to Toronto Ontario, while his brother James, who was traveling with him, proceeded to Montreal Quebec

Sep 10, 1913

Entered the USA at Lewiston New York and gave his occupation as Iron Worker, and that he was going to live with his brother, James Watson, at 109 3^rd St, Harrison New Jersey, USA.

Jul 28, 1915

Attested into the 76^th Battalion at Welland Ontario 

Ø      Number 141804

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs AM Clydesdale, aunt, of Towerdene, Newlands, Glasgow Scotland

Ø      Previous occupation given as Iron Worker

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Presbyterian 

The 76^th Battalion trained at the Niagara Camp

Sep 30, 1915

Private Watson was a member of a draft of 255 all ranks that was formed and left the Niagara Camp by train as a Reinforcing Draft headed for England

Oct 1, 1915

Embarked the RMS Scandinavian at Montreal Quebec

Oct 10, 1915

Disembarked at Portsmouth England and proceeded to the West Sandling Camp 

On arrival at West Sandling, the draft was absorbed into the 39^th Reserve Battalion

Jan 27, 1916

Admitted to the Military Hospital at Shorncliffe diagnosed with VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea) and Orchitis, an inflammation of the Testicles.

Jan 29, 1916

Transferred to the Barnwell Military Hospital at Cambridge

Mar 23, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

Jun 6, 1916

Posted to the 21^st Battalion

Jun 7, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) at the Rouelles Camp, Havre France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Jun 8, 1916

Pte Watson left the CBD to join the Battalion

Jun 10, 1916

Joined the 21^st Battalion in Divisional Reserve at Dickebusch and was assigned to “D” Company

Jul 20, 1916

Admitted to No 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis of PUO (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin) which is a fever without a known cause and transferred the same day to No 4 CFA

Jul 22, 1916

Transferred to the No 10 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) and diagnosis was changed to read Paratyphoid

Jul 23, 1916

Transferred to No 32 Stationary Hospital at Wimereux

Jul 29, 1916

Transferred to the Australian General Hospital at Wimereux and the diagnosis was changed to read Bronchopneumonia 

Later that same day he was invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship St Denis

Posted to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) while in hospital

Jul 30, 1916

Admitted to the Bethnal Green Military Hospital at Cambridge Heath

Aug 22, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Bromley

Aug 28, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Woodcote Park, Epsom

Oct 20, 1916

Discharged to the CCAC from the Convalescent Hospital

Oct 26, 1916

Attached to the 1^st Canadian Training Battalion at Hastings

Dec 4, 1916

Posted to the 1^st Canadian Training Battalion at Hastings

Feb 10, 1917

Posted to the 6^th Reserve Battalion at Seaford

Apr 17, 1917

Posted to the 21^st Battalion

Apr 18, 1917

Arrived at the CBD at the Rouelles Camp, Havre France and TOS the 21^st Battalion

Apr 21, 1917

Left the CBD to join the Battalion

May 5, 1917

Joined the 21^st Battalion in Division Reserve near the Dennis La Rocke and Conbow Trench junction 

There is no explanation as to why it took 2 weeks to make that journey to the trenches.  It is possible that they had trouble locating the Battalion

Jul 4, 1917

Appointed to rank of Acting Lance Corporal without pay

Aug 12, 1917

Appointed to rank of Lance Corporal to replace L/Cpl Keller 412749, who had been invalided to England

Oct 7, 1917

Appointed to rank of Acting Corporal with pay to replace Cpl Murney 59690 who had been appointed A/L/Sgt

Dec 23, 1917

Promoted to rank of Corporal to replace Cpl Murney 59690 who had been appointed L/Sgt

Dec 31, 1917

Granted 14 days leave

Jan 16, 1918

Rejoined the Battalion from leave

Aug 8, 1918

During the attack at Marcelcave, he received shrapnel wounds to face and left foot and admitted to the No 1 CFA then transferred to the CCS for further treatment. 

It should be noted that this was the same action in which the Commanding Officer, L/Col EW Jones was killed in action

Aug 9, 1918

Transferred via No 26 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No 47 General Hospital at Le Treport

Aug 23, 1918

Transferred to No 3 Convalescent Depot

Aug 28, 1918

Transferred to the No 13 Convalescent Depot at Trouville

Sep 20, 1918

Discharged to Base Details

Sep 23, 1918

Arrived at No 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) at Etaples and posted to “A” Company for those recovering from wounds and illness

Oct 2, 1918

Arrived at the CC Rein C at Aubin St Vaast

Oct 5, 1918

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion in trenches along the Arras-Cambrai Road near Sains les Marquion

Jan 7, 1919

Promoted to rank of Sergeant

Apr 3, 1919

Embarked the Western Australia at Havre

Apr 4, 1919

Disembarked in England and proceeded to the Witley Camp and TOS “P” Wing pending return to Canada

May 14, 1919

Embarked the RMS Caronia at Liverpool

May 22, 1919

Disembarked at Halifax Nova Scotia and proceeded by train to Kingston Ontario

May 24, 1919

Discharged from the CEF at Kingston 

Ø      War Service Badge Class “A” issued #279818

Ø      Rank on discharge Sergeant

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge GPO (General Post Office) Welland Ontario

Jul 3, 1919

Awarded the Military Medal per London Gazette #31430

May 23, 1920

Entered the USA at Buffalo New York to visit his brother James, at Newark New Jersey

May 20, 1924

The British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 1456 East 65^th St, Cleveland Ohio, USA 

In 1934 he stated that he was living at 70^th Way North, Long Beach California USA 

In 1953 he stated that he was living at 2861 Canal Ave, Long Beach California USA

Nov 12, 1958

Died at Long Beach California USA