Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Frederick Thomas Watson (MM) was born to Jane Swain and Thomas Watson on the 15th of May 1894, in Birmingham, England. Frederick Thomas Watson had three sisters, Hilda, Maud and Jane, and two brothers, James, Herbert and Baden Watson. At the age of 7, Watson's father, a Police Sergeant, passed away at the age of 32 due to pneumonia.

On September, 25 1913 his mother, his siblings and himself boarded 'The Benalla' bound for Australia.

Before Frederick Thomas Watson enlisted he lived in Kent Town, South Australia. His occupation was a gas fitter and he worked for the South Australian Gas Company. He enlisted as a volunteer soldier on July, 16 1915 and embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board the Benalla on October, 27 1915. The newspaper reported that he had only been living in South Australia for two years

When Watson left Australia it was with the 11th Reinforcements of the 10th Battalion but was taken on strength to the 50th Battalion when he arrived in Egypt. On February, 26 1916 he proceeded to join the 50th Battalion after training at the Zeitoun Training Base, Egypt.

The 50th battalion was sent from the Zeitoun Training Base, Egypt to join the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). The BEF was the name given to forces present in France. The troops first landed at Marseilles on June, 12 1916. They were soon to see active service.

August 8, 1916, Frederick Thomas Watson was temporarily promoted to the rank of corporal as Lynch was wounded in the thumb. Watson was confirmed the rank of corporal on November 20, 1916, Lynch had been promoted to a higher rank and later became a captain. On March 11, 1917, Frederick Thomas Watson was awarded the rank of temporary sergeant as Mollet was severely wounded due to a gunshot. This rank was confirmed on March 25, 1917.

On the April 2, 1917 at Noreuil, Sergeant Watson earned the military medal for bravery in the field. He repelled three German counter attacks and stopped them from getting ammunition to a machine gun, this meant the gun stopped firing. Later that night he pushed out and linked up with the next battalion. Watson, along with 13 other soldiers, was presented his military ribbon by General Birdwood on April 24, 1917. Later in 1919, he was presented his military medal by his Majesty King George the fifth at Buckingham Palace.

Sergeant Watson was severely reprimanded by Lt Col A.G. Salisbury on April 15, 1917 due to neglect to the prejudice of good order and military discipline for failing to give definite instruction to the regimental police.

On June 17, 1917, Watson was wounded in action. He had gunshot wounds to the face, right arm and right thigh. He was sent to hospital in Le Tréport which is a fishing village in Normandy, France. Watson was then sent to Tooting Military Hospital, England. Whilst he was in the hospital he met his future wife, Ellen Watts.

Frederick Thomas Watson was approved fit for service and on November 4, 1917 he re-joined the 50th battalion who at the time they were station at Lugy, France. 

On May 5, 1918, Watson was wounded for the second time with a shrapnel wound to the shoulder and gas inhallation. The 50th Battalion diary states that on this day only one soldier was killed and one was wounded whilst on patrol. This confirms that he was wounded during patrol. He re-joined the unit on June 9, 1918. He returned to join the 50th Battalion in the battle of Hamel.

Shortly before the end of the war, Sergeant Watson was approved for officer training. Due to the end of the war, this was not completed.

On January 1, 1919, Watson married Ellen Watts, he needed to get permission from his commanding officer as he was on active service. The two were married at the Church of St. Gabriel, London, England.

Frederick Thomas Watson returned back to Australia from the war on May 7, 1919 at the age of 24.

Frederick Thomas Watson died from a stroke on October 2, 1969, in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia at the age of 75. He is buried at the Enfield Cemetery, Adelaide.