Dec 27, 1882

Born in Warsaw, Ontario to John and Jane (nee Killingbeck) Watson

Sep 19, 1904

Married to Elizabeth Wallace in Toronto, Ontario

Nov 8, 1915

Attested into the 93^rd Battalion CEF in Peterborough, Ontario

Ø  Number 195268

Ø  Next of kin given as Lizzie Watson, wife, 558 Chamberlain St., Peterborough, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Canoe Builder

Ø  Previous military service given as 4 years in the 57^th Regiment

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Posted to “B” Company

Initial training was done in Peterborough, Ontario

May 29, 1916

The battalion boarded a train and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario to continue training at the Barriefield Camp

Jul 15, 1916

Embarked the Empress of Britain in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Jul 25, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to the Otterpool Camp

Oct 6, 1916

Transferred to the 39^th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling

Oct 25, 1916

Attached to the 3^rd CTB (Canadian Training Battalion) in West Sandling

Nov 1, 1916

Attached to the 188^th Battalion for rations and the 12^th Battalion for pay in Westenhanger

Nov 8, 1916

Rejoined the 39^th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling

Jan 3, 1917

Medical exam at Hastings notes

1.     Man suffers from Asthma

2.     He is over weight and over age

3.     Is capable of limited light duty

Jan 4, 1917

Transferred to the newly formed 6^th Reserve Battalion and attached to the 1^st CRB (Canadian Reserve Brigade) in Shorncliffe

Aug 27, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Aug 28, 1917

Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and Taken On Strength of the 21^st Battalion

Sep 6, 1917

After leaving the base depot, Private Watson joined the 21^st Battalion in Villers au Bois, France

Sep 7, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

Sep 23, 1918

Rejoined the battalion on the Arras – Cambrai Road at Canal du Nord

Oct 23, 1918

Proceeded to St. Pol, France on escort duty

Oct 27, 1918

Rejoined the battalion in Auberchicourt, France from escort duty

Dec 13, 1918

The 21^st Battalion led the 2^nd Canadian Division across the Bonn Bridge to enter Germany as part of the Occupying Force and proceeded to Siegburg

Mar 14, 1919

Transferred to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot in England and posted to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Witley pending returning to Canada for duty with the Military Police

Mar 17, 1919

Transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Witley

Apr 23, 1919

Transferred to the NBRD (New Brunswick Regimental Depot) in Ripon

May 6, 1919

Embarked the SS Scotian in Liverpool

May 15, 1919

Disembarked in Montreal, Quebec and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength of No. 3 Detachment, CMPC (Canadian Military Police Corps)

Appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal

Jul 24, 1919

Discharged from the Canadian Military Police Corps in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Lance Corporal

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 701 Harvy St., Peterborough, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 701 Harvy St., Peterborough, Ontario

William John Watson died in June 1963 and was buried in the Little Lake Cemetery, Peterborough, Ontario

William John Watson is remembered on the
Wall of Honour in Peterborough, Ontario