Sep 19, 1889

Born in Hamilton, Scotland to John and Margaret Watt

Jul 26, 1915

Attested into the 76^th Battalion CEF in Hamilton, Ontario

 Ø  Number 141572

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Margaret Watt, mother, Parkhead, Glasgow, Scotland

Ø  Previous occupation given as Miner

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Assigned to the battalion’s 1^st Draft

 
The battalion trained in Camp Niagara, Ontario

Sep 30, 1915

Embarked the SS Scandinavian in Montreal, Quebec as part of the battalion’s 1^st Draft

Oct 10, 1915

Disembarked in Portsmouth, England and proceeded to the West Sandling where the draft was absorbed into the 39^th Reserve Battalion to continue training

Feb 19, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Feb 21, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 48 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Mar 12, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Watt joined the 21^st Battalion in the reserve trench west of the town of Thelus, France

Sep 18, 1916

Appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal to replace L/Cpl H Griffiths 59395 who had been wounded and invalided to England

Dec 26, 1916

The battalion came under an enemy artillery barrage while in the front lines west of Lens, France and Private Watt received shrapnel wounds to his neck and was admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for treatment

Dec 30, 1916

Discharged to duty from the field ambulance

May 9, 1917

While holding the front line in the rail embankment west of Vimy Ridge, the battalion came under an artillery barrage and Private Robert Watt was instantly killed by a shell explosion.  He was first buried in a field near the foot of the ridge.  In November of 1919 his remains were exhumed and reburied in the Orchard Dump Cemetery, Arleux-en-Gohelle, France.

  

Following the war, the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, John Watt, 57 Pollock St., Burnbank, Hamilton, Scotland

The Memorial Cross was sent to his mother, Mrs. Margaret Watt, at the same address