| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
Albert Watson, aged 23, and referred to for unknown reasons as “Jerry” Watson, was killed in action on 24 Mar 1918 north of Bapaume, France. He served in the Royal Field Artillery as a gunner in “D” Battery of the 112th Brigade, part of 25th Division. His death was reported in the Beverley Guardian of 18 May 1918 but incorrectly stated that he was a “driver” and that he had died in “April 1918”. According to the local paper of 18 May 1918, Albert was killed on the 24 whilst “coming up with a wagon load of ammunition for the guns, driving a pair of horses”, several of which and their drivers were hit by a German shell, Corporal Saddler Smith reported to his Company Officer. The Company Officer then found Albert “beside his team dead, with wounds in the leg and body” and went on to say that he “sent a party of men to bury him on the spot where he fell.” The Company Officer also noted in the letter to his parents, that, “Your son was a great favourite with all ranks as he was a most dependable and keen soldier, and equally good at the guns or with the horses, where his country training made him a very good driver.” Albert was later reburied at Bancourt Military Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France. Albert was awarded the War and Victory medals.
Albert was born in Etton in 1895 and baptised at the local church on 3 Mar 1895, the son of William Watson and Ann Elizabeth. William was a farm labourer, from West Ella, and Ann was from Lockington. They lived in Etton, in 1911 census Albert was working as a plough boy on the Whipp’s farm in Etton and lodging there.
Albert is commemorated on the East Riding Memorial in Beverley Minster but surprisingly not on the Etton or Cherry Burton War Memorial. His parents continued to live in Etton after his death.
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |