Name
Wilfred Watson
1896
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
05/03/1915
18
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
Z/2997
Rifle Brigade
3rd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL
Panel 10.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
He has no Headstone. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium to the missing.
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Cheshunt Memorials, Bourne War Memorial, Cambs,, Bourne Abbey Church Memorial, Cambs.
Pre War
Wilfred Watson was born in the spring of 1896, in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, son of Arthur Frederick Watson (known as Frederick) a, Gamekeeper and Clara Watson (nee Oliver). One of six children.
His parents married in May 1892 in Beetley, Norfolk, then settled in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, where four of their children were born. About 1900 the family moved to Wangford in Suffolk.
1901 Census records Wilfred aged 4, living with his parents, brothers Oliver (7), Cecil (2) and sister Gladys (6), at Broom Cottages, Wangford, Suffolk. Where his father was a Gamekeeper at Wangford Hall.
1911 Census, Wilfred (14) had left school and was employed as a Railway Clerk at the Railway Office, Living with his parents, brothers Oliver (17) a Gamekeeper, Cecil (12), Gilbert (9), Eric (8) and sister Gladys (16) at Toft Lodge, Toft, Nr. Bourne, Lincolnshire. Where is father was a Gamekeeper on the Grimsthorpe Castle Estate.
The family later moved to Edenham, Nr. Bourne, Lincolnshire.
Wartime Service
Wilfred enlisted at Preston, Yorks, on 15th September 1914, giving his age as 19yrs. & 5 months, his occupation a Footman (possible at Grimsthorpe Castle), posted to The Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort’s Own), it is not known why he enlisted in Preston. He joined the 5th Battalion, a Depot/training Unit at Winchester, on 16th September 1914, issued with the service number Z/2997. On completion of his training he was sent to France, arriving on the 9th February 1915, where he joined the 3rd Battalion. (The 3rd Battalion had been in France since September 1914). Wilfred was killed in Action a month later on 5th March 1915, A document in his service record states he was initially buried in Chapelle d’Armentiers. If this is correct, we must assume the grave was destroyed in later actions. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium to the missing. Panel 10.
(The Battalion War Diary indicates the Battalion was in the area of Chapelle d’Armentiers and 4 Rifleman were killed on the 5th March 1915).
Additional Information
His effects of £3-8s-5d, pay owing and his war gratuity of £3, went to his mother Clara Watson.
His service record has survived and is available on-line.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
