S9703
WATSON, Alexander Wentworth
| Service Number: | 3953 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 10th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Mount Gambier, Mount Gambier, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | PAINTER |
| Died: | 11 May 1974, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered, age not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial, Mount Gambier St Andrew's Presbyterian Church Roll of Honor, Mount Gambier St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church Roll of Honor (2) |
World War 1 Service
| 2 Dec 1915: | Involvement Private, 3953, 10th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: RMS Malwa embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Dec 1915: | Embarked Private, 3953, 10th Infantry Battalion, RMS Malwa, Adelaide | |
| Date unknown: | Wounded 3953, 10th Infantry Battalion |
Help us honour Alexander Wentworth Watson's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by St Ignatius' College
Private Alexander Wentworth Watson enlisted in World War 1 at the age of 25 years and one month. He was 5 foot 4 ¼ inches (164cm approx.) and weighed 134 lbs (70kg approx.) Prior to enlisting in the Australian Military, Alexander Wentworth Watson was a painter with 5 years of experience. He lived in a single-story house located at 14 Crouch St N, Mount Gambier, South Australia 5290. He enlisted on the 10th of August 1915.
At the time of enlistment, Private Alexander Wentworth Watson stated that his distinct features included dark hair, blue eyes, mid-toned skin. Private Alexander Wentworth Watson left for WW1 via a ship called the RMS Malwa with the service number 3953.
Formation and Early Training (1914-1915): The 10th Battalion was formed in early 1915 in Australia. The 10th Infantry Battalion (SA) "The Adelaide Rifles," part of the 1st Division of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), underwent intensive training to prepare for the Gallipoli Campaign and other World War 1 operations. Their preparation included basic infantry training focused on drills, discipline, and physical conditioning, alongside using different rifles. They were also trained in fieldcraft, which consisted of navigation, map reading, and tactics for camouflaging in different terrains they would be situated in. Additionally, they practiced trench warfare techniques, learning how to dig, defend, and survive in the harsh conditions they would later face in battle like Pozieres.
At Pozieres in August 1916 Watson was wounded in his shoulder and both legs and was captured by the Germans and imprisoned as a prisoner of War Munster on the 22nd August 1916. He was later transferred to prisoner of war camp, Dulmen, Germany on the 10th November 1916. He was then transferred to Switzerland, 11th December 1916. He was freed and sent back to England, 9th December 1918 and was treated at the Paddington Military Hospital in London.
In world war Private Alexander Wentworth Watson served for 3 years, 276 days in total service. His unit / regiment in World War 1 was the 10th Infantry Battalion (SA) “The Adelaide Rifles" 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, AIF.
Alexander Wentworth Watson’s returned to Australia and was discharged from the AIF 12th May 1919.
Following this in World War 2 he enlisted on 14 August 1944 working at an operational station.
He passed away on the 11th of May,1974 at the age of 84 years.
Bibliography
- Anonymous 2020, WATSON Alexander Wentworth | Prisoner of War Memorial Ballarat, Powmemorialballarat.com.au, https://www.powmemorialballarat.com.au/prisoners-of-war/watson-alexander-wentworth/, viewed 11 September 2024, <https://www.powmemorialballarat.com.au/prisoners-of-war/watson-alexander-wen tworth/>.
- Australian War Memorial n.d., AWM4 Subclass 23/27 - 10th Infantry Battalion, www.awm.gov.au, Australian War Memorial, viewed 17 September 2024, <https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/AWM4%3A23%3A27>.
- Backgrounder, A n.d., Prisoner of War Documents, Canadian War Museum, Canadian War Museum, Ottawa, Canada, p. 3, viewed 23 September 2024, <https://www.warmuseum.ca/s3/supplyline/assets/teacherresources/CWM_SupplyLine_POWDocs-EN-FINAL-20151217.pdf>.
- City of Mount Gambier 2017, WATSON, ALEXANDER WENTWORTH, City of Mount Gambier, City of Mount Gambier, viewed 10 September 2024, <https://www.mountgambier.sa.gov.au/cemeteries/watson-alexander-wentworth-1>.
- South Australian Red Cross Information Bureau 2024, Alexander Wentworth Watson | South Australian Red Cross Information Bureau, Sa.gov.au, South Australian Red Cross Information Bureau, viewed 17 September 2024, <https://sarcib.ww1.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/soldier/alexander-wentworth-watson>.
- Virtual War Memorial Australia 2024a, Alexander Wentworth WATSON, Vwma.org.au, Virtual War Memorial Australia, viewed 12 September 2024, <https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/145873>.
- ― 2024b, Alexander Wentworth WATSON, Vwma.org.au, Virtual War Memorial Australia, viewed 19 September 2024, <https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/575440>.
- file:///C:/Users/renpa/OneDrive%20-%20Saint%20Ignatius'%20College/School%20work/WW1%20HISTORY%20S2%202024/NAA_ItemNumber1912742.pdf
- file:///C:/Users/renpa/OneDrive%20-%20Saint%20Ignatius'%20College/School%20work/WW1%20HISTORY%20S2%202024/SRG76_1_1419.pdf
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