Yarm 1914

Killed in action while on duty as a look-out 1 Sep 1915 aged 21. Son of Godfrey and Elizabeth Ann Watson; brother of James. The Commission entry for this man has his parents living at 35 Cecil St, Stockton. He had been born in Yarm and was living there when he enlisted in the town in Aug 1914. A letter from Capt H T Fawcett stated that he had got a bullet just over the eyes and died on the spot. In tendering his heartfelt sympathy the Capt said that “his loss will be as greatly felt out there as at Yarm… He was always cheerful under any circumstances and did his duties well and willingly.” He had been in the Terriers for four years and prior to enlisting was an Assistant Signalman at Eaglescliffe. He was a primitive Methodist and a memorial service was held in their Church in May 1916 to commemorate his death and that of Ambrose Wilson (see on). Strand Military Cem, Ploegsteert, Belgium

Yarm1914 believe that John Charles was the brother of James William Watson born in Galphay near Ripon in 1895 to Godfrey Watson aged 30, a shoemaker and his wife Elizabeth Ann (nee Croft) aged 35. He had two sisters Mary Jane aged 4 and Margaret aged 2. By 1901 they had moved to 14 Craister Street in the Tilery/Norton district where Godfrey was a general labourer. By 1911 Mary Jane and Margaret were not living with the family, which had moved to Church Wynd in Yarm. Godfrey was a wagon driver and John Charles a lamp lighter. His military records cite his mother Elizabeth A as recieving his effects. .

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Yarm 1914 Research ________________

The Yarm 1914 Commemoration Group is carrying out research on the soldiers listed. We are finding where they lived in Yarm and will represent the findings in a wall of poppies presentation. More details will be posted on Facebook, Twitter and this web site. If you have any information please contact us. Left click on the picture below.