|
Mar 8, 1892
|
Born in Haliburton County, Ontario to James and
Priscilla (nee Toms) Watson
|
|
Jul 4, 1914
|
Married to Jessie Caroline Brethour in Bancroft,
Ontario
|
|
Feb 12, 1916
|
Attested into the 155th Battalion CEF
in Bancroft, Ontario
Ø Number 636617
Ø Next of kin given as Jessie
Caroline Watson, wife, RR No. 2, Bancroft, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as
Farmer
Ø No previous military
experience given
Ø Religion given as Church of
England
Ø Posted to “D” Company
The battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario
area
His brothers, Oliver and George, both attested
into the battalion the same month.
|
|
|
|
Jun 27, 1916
|
Admitted to the Barriefield Hospital with a
diagnosis that reads Measles
|
|
Jul 7, 1916
|
Discharged to duty from hospital
|
|
Jul 22, 1916
|
While on a pass from the battalion, David Watson
went hunting near his home in Bancroft and while climbing a fence, his rifle
accidentally discharged and a bullet passed through his left foot, severing 1
toe and causing damage to 2 other toes.
He was treated at home by his family doctor.
|
|
Jul 25, 1916
|
After rejoining the battalion in Kingston, he was
admitted to the Kingston General Hospital for further treatment
Following an enquiry into the circumstances of
the incident, it was concluded that the wound was caused by an accident and
he was discharged from hospital with light duties for 1 month to allow his
foot to fully heal
|
|
Sep 1, 1916
|
Admitted to the Barriefield Hospital with a
diagnosis that reads Tonsillitis
|
|
Sep 5, 1916
|
Discharged to duty from hospital
|
|
Sep 30, 1916
|
Admitted to the Ongwanada Military Hospital in
Kingston with a diagnosis that reads Bronchitis
|
|
Oct 9, 1916
|
Discharged to duty from hospital
|
|
Oct 17, 1916
|
Embarked the SS Northland in Halifax, Nova Scotia
|
|
Oct 28, 1916
|
Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the
battalion proceeded to Bramshott
|
|
Dec 5, 1916
|
Transferred to the 21st Battalion
|
|
Dec 6, 1916
|
Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the
Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 147 reinforcements from
England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion
|
|
Feb 22, 1917
|
After leaving the base depot, Private Watson
joined the 21st Battalion in the trenches west of Vimy Ridge,
France
|
|
Apr 9, 1917
|
During the battalion’s attack on Vimy Ridge,
Private Watson received shrapnel wounds to his head and was evacuated first
to a field ambulance for first aid before being transported to a casualty
clearing station for treatment.
|
|
Apr 14, 1917
|
Transferred to the No. 13 Canadian Stationary
Hospital in Boulogne for further treatment
|
|
Apr 16, 1917
|
Transferred to the No. 1 Convalescent Depot in
Boulogne to recover from his wounds
|
|
Apr 17, 1917
|
Transferred to the No. 10 Convalescent Depot in
Ecault, to continue his recovery
|
|
May 15, 1917
|
Transferred to the No. 3 Rest Camp in Boulogne to
continue his recovery
|
|
May 18, 1917
|
Discharged from the rest camp and arrived at the
base depot in Boulogne and posted to “A” Company for those recovering from
wounds and illness
|
|
Jun 5, 1917
|
Transferred to the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry
Base Depot) in Havre, France
|
|
Jun 13, 1917
|
After leaving the base depot he joined the 2nd
Canadian Entrenching Battalion in Hersin, France as part of a draft of 69
reinforcements destined to join the 21st Battalion
|
|
Jun 26, 1917
|
After leaving the entrenching battalion, Private
David Watson rejoined the 21st Battalion in billets in Coupigny,
France
|
|
Aug 15, 1917
|
The 21st Battalion participated in the
capture of Hill 70 near Lens, France and the Germans put up severe
resistance. Following the capture by
the Canadians, the Germans mounted several counter attacks that often
involved hand to hand combat, but the Canadians held the ground and the enemy
finally retreated. During this heavy
fighting, Private David Thomas Watson was first reported Missing in Action
but was later determined to have been killed in action. However, his identifiable body was never
recovered and his name is listed on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, Vimy
Ridge, France for those killed during the war in France and have no known
grave.
Following the war, the British War Medal, Victory
Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his
widow, Mrs. Jessie C. Watson, RR #2 Bancroft, Ontario
A second Memorial Cross was sent to his mother,
Mrs. F. Watson, at the same address
|
|
David Thomas
Waters in honoured on the War Memorial in Bancroft, Ontario
|
|
