WATSON, Richard Victor
| Service Number: | 357 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 6th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand, 14 July 1895 |
| Home Town: | Hawthorn, Boroondara, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Trinity Grammar School, Kew, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Clerk (with London & Lancaster Insurance Company) |
| Died: | “Accidental Death from Haemorrhage & concussion of the Brain consequent upon a fall at Herne Hill.”, 33 Dulwich Road, Herne Hill, London, England, 5 May 1916, aged 20 years |
| Cemetery: |
City Of London and Tower Hamlets Cemetery The cemetery, which covers about 33 acres, has been in use since 1841. It contains war graves of both world wars. During the 1939-1945 War the cemetery suffered severely from enemy air attacks directed on the City of London, the two chapels and many of the memorials having been damaged or destroyed. All the 279 Commonwealth war casualties buried in this cemetery are now recorded and commemorated on bronze panels affixed to a screen wall. His grave, no longer marked, is at 49. 5771., City of London and Tower Hamlets Cemetery, London, England, United Kingdom |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 19 Oct 1914: | Involvement Private, 357, 6th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '8' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Hororata embarkation_ship_number: A20 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Oct 1914: | Embarked Private, 357, 6th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Hororata, Melbourne |
Help us honour Richard Victor Watson's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Geoffrey Gillon
Private Watson was 20 and the son of Richard Daniel and Margaret Younger Watson, of "Glendermid", Riversdale Rd., Hawthorn, Melbourne, Australia.
His death was registered in Lambeth, South London where there was a military Hospital.
Deaths Jun 1916 Watson Richard V 20 Lambeth 1d 413
Biography contributed by Cathy Sedgwick
The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick (OAM) – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland”
Richard Victor Watson was born at Sawyers Bay, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand on 14th July, 1895 to parents Richard Daniel & Margaret Younger Watson (nee McDermid).
According to information provided by his father for the Roll of Honour – Richard Victor Watson came to Australia when he was 11 years old.
He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 17th August, 1914 as a 19 year old, single, Clerk (in London & Lancaster Insurance Company) from 111 Riversdale Road, Hawthorn, Victoria. Richard Victor Watson stated on his Attestation Papers that he had served with Colonial Forces – 56 Infantry & also Senior Cadet Training.
Private Richard Victor Watson, Service number 357, embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on HMAT Hororata (A20) on 19th October, 1914 with the 6th Infantry Battalion “C” Company & disembarked at Alexandria on 5th December, 1914.
He embarked from Malta on Adania on 9th June, 1915 for Egypt. Private Watson embarked from Alexandria on Southland on 14th June, 1915 for the Dardanelles & joined his Unit from Base at Gallipoli on 20th June, 1915.
A Medical Report had been completed on Private Richard Victor Watson on 13th June, 1915 at Helouan. His disability was recorded as Rheumatism which had originated prior to Enlistment in Australia. “Twelve months ago was off work for 4 months, & in bed 2 ½ months with Rheumatism in the back & the hips. Had slight attacks after before enlistment. Came to Egypt in December & was often off duty for a week at a time with Rheumatism. Went to the Dardanelles & was sent back seven weeks ago for Rheumatism. Has had rheumatism all the time since.” Private Watson’s present condition was listed as “At present has pain in the back & in the hips. Pain usually worst at night. Can walk very little & walks very lame. Cannot put any weight on right leg without pain.” The Officer in charge of the case recommended that Private Watson be discharged as permanently unfit. The Medical Board agreed with the decision on 14th June, 1915.
On 23rd July, 1915 Private Watson reported sick at Gallipoli. He was admitted to 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station at Anzac on 24th July, 1915 then transferred to Fleetsweeper on the same day with Influenza. Private Watson was admitted to 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance at Mudros on 24th July, 1915 with Debility. He was transferred to 24th Casualty Clearing Station at Mudros on 28th July, 1915 then transferred the same day to the Convalescent Hospital at Mudros. Private Watson was discharged to rejoin his Unit on 31st July, 1915.
He was admitted to 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station on 7th September, 1915 “Febrile” & embarked on Maheno on the same day. Private Watson was admitted to Military Hospital at Imtarfa, Malta on 12th September, 1915. The Hospital Admissions form recorded his disease as Gonorrhoea which he had “contracted in Egypt on January 24th. Ceased 12th May”. (Note: The Summary Sheet -page 60 in the Service Record file for Private Richard Victor Watson recorded that he had been admitted to Hospital at Malta from Maheno with Febrile Typhoid.) Private Watson was reported to be dangerously ill at Malta on 27th September, 1915. He was pronounced “out of danger” on 6th October, 1915. Private Watson embarked for England on 19th November, 1915 per Kildonian Castle.
Base Records advised Mr R. D. Watson, 111 Riversdale Rd, Hawthorn, Victoria on 3rd October, 1915 that Private R. V. Watson was sick & had disembarked at Malta from Hospital Ship Maheno on 12th September. A cable was sent on 4th October, 1915 advising that Private R. V. Watson was dangerously ill on 27th September. Another cable was sent on 12th October, 1915 advising that Private R. V. Watson was now reported out of danger.
On 15th October, 1915 Base Records advised Mr R. D. Watson that Private R. V. Watson had been transferred to First General Hospital at Heliopolis in July. A follow up cable sent on17th October, 1915 reads: “Please cancel my wire Fifteenth Instant Now Reported Private R. V. Watson Progressing Satisfactorily At Malta Will Promptly Advise If Anything Further Received.”
Private Watson was admitted to London War Hospital, Epsom, England on 27th November, 1915.
Base Records advised Mr R. D. Watson, 111 Riversdale Rd, Hawthorn, Victoria on 28th November, 1915 that Private R. V. Watson embarked for England on Hospital Ship Kildonian Castle on 19th November, 1915.
On 1st December, 1915 Base Records advised Mr R. D. Watson: “The following is an extract from a Nominal Roll of sick and wounded received by post, dated 22/9/15 who landed at Malta 12th September from Hospital Ship “Maheno”, No. 357 Private R. V. Watson, 6th Battalion, suffering from febrile typhoid. You are already aware that he has since been pronounced out of danger, and reported embarked for England. Any further reports received will be promptly communicated to you.”
Base Records advised Mr R. D. Watson on 13th December, 1915 that Private R. V. Watson was in Hospital at Epsom, England suffering from Enteric.
On 30th December, 1915 Private Watson was written up for a Crime– “Missing Weymouth Draft 2 hours”. He was awarded a forfeiture of 1 days’ pay.
Private Richard Victor Watson died on 5th May, 1916 at 33 Dulwich Road, Herne Hill, London, England.
A Coroner’s Inquest was held on 9th May, 1916 & the cause of death was found to be: “Accidental Death from Haemorrhage & concussion of the Brain consequent upon a fall at Herne Hill.”
He was buried in City of London & Tower Hamlets Cemetery, Mile End Road, London, England – Grave No. 5771 Block “H”.
This is now recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as Screen Wall 49.5771 as he does not have a headstone.
According to Burial Register - Richard V. Watson was buried in Grave 5771 with 4 other deceased persons.
(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/city-of-london.html
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