Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Richard Pilkington Watson, known as Dick, was born on 7th April 1888 at Brisbane Queensland, the second son of William and Caroline Watson.  He had twin older siblings…Arthur and Muriel and 4 younger sisters…Dorothy, Madge, Bessie and Norma.  After completing his education he went on to become a bank manager and was living at Blackbutt from 1912. 

On 21st December 1914 Dick, aged 26, enlisted for WW1 in the Australian Imperial Force at Brisbane.  He’s described as being 5ft 7ins tall with a fair complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair.  His service number was 562, his rank Private and he was assigned to the 2nd Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance, 2nd Reinforcements.  After completing his initial training at Enoggera Camp in Brisbane, Dick embarked from Brisbane on HMAT Seang Bee on 13th February 1915.  Upon arrival in Egypt he proceeded to Maadi Camp where he remained until 16th May 1915 when he embarked for Gallipoli from Alexandria on HMT Lutzow.  The ship anchored off Cape Helles and Dick went ashore at Anzac Cove the next day and proceeded to the unit camp at Walker’s Gully.  The unit moved 5 days later to a new camp at White’s Gully. 

Dick was promoted to Corporal on 9th June 1915 and late that month the unit embarked from Gallipoli on HMT Prince Abbas for Lemnos Island to lessen the problems of overcrowding and the shortage of water.  In early July the unit took charge of the HMT Ausonia as a hospital carrier and embarked for Alexandria.  However, upon arrival, there was no accommodation so they sailed on to Malta.  In late July the unit moved to Tal Bakal to unpack and set up equipment for a general hospital being set up there.  Two days later they embarked for Alexandria on HMT Karoa and upon arrival there proceeded to Mustapha Barracks.  A week later the Assistant Director of Medical Services (ADMS) issued orders for all stretcher bearers to support the troops at Victoria Gully, Gallipoli, for the upcoming battle of Lone Pine so the unit embarked that day on HMT Formosa.  They arrived at Mudros Bay at Lemnos Island the next day and transferred to HMT Abbassieh then sailed for Gallipoli the next day.  The ship collided with another ship offshore from Gallipoli but the unit was landed safely.  They proceeded to support the 3rd Field Ambulance (3rd FA) dressing stations at Victoria Gully and Brown’s Dip.  They camped with the 3rd FA at McCay’s Hill.  In mid-September 1915 the unit took charge of the dressing station at Dawkins Point.  They remained there till 11th December 1915 when the unit was one of the first to evacuate Gallipoli embarking on HMT Princess Ena.  They disembarked at Lemnos Island the next day and proceeded to Sarpi Camp.  They remained there till 27th December 1915 when they embarked on HMT Caledonia and upon arrival at Alexandria proceeded to Maadi Camp. 

In late February 1916 the unit left Maadi Camp and proceeded to Serapeum Camp.  Dick was promoted to Lance Sergeant on 1st March 1916 and the unit proceeded to Moascar Camp then to Sahlia in early April 1916.  In late April they proceeded to Hill 70 Camp near Kantara and then on to Romani where in early June 1916 their camp was bombed causing 26 casualties, 4 of whom died. 

In late June they proceeded to Bir-et-Maler where their camp was once again bombed but this time there were no casualties.  Dick took part in the Battle of Romani from 4th-5th August 1916 and then the Raid on Bir-el-Abd on 9th August.  In September the unit proceeded to Hod-el-Fatir and then to Bir-el-Mazar where they were involved in the Raid on Bir-el-Mazar on 17th September.  In late September the unit moved back to Romani and then to Hill 70 in early October 1916.  In late October Dick attended the School Instruction at Zeitoun Camp and achieved 95%.  He re-joined his unit in late November 1916 in time to move with them to Hassainya. 

In early February 1917 the unit proceeded to Masaid and then a few weeks later to Sheikh Zowaid and Rafa.  By late March 1916 the unit was at Deir-el-Belah where Dick was promoted to Sergeant on 5th April 1917.  The unit moved frequently throughout April and then to El Sha’uth and Tel-el-Marakeb in May 1917.  Dick was promoted to Staff Sergeant on 22nd July 1917 but a month later reverted to Sergeant at his own request. 

In late September 1917 Dick transferred to the ANZAC Mounted Division at Abasan-el-Kebir and was posted to headquarters (HQ) as a clerk to the ADMS.  This Division was made up of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigades and the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade….all of whom had served “dismounted” at Gallipoli.   

Dick was promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant on 19th October 1917 and a week later he, with the Division, moved to Esani, Asluj and then to Tel-el-Saba, 5klms east of Beersheba.  The unit took part in the Battle of Beersheba on 31st October 1917 then proceeded to Jaffa in early November 1917.   

In January 1918 Dick and the Division proceeded to Esdud and Richon-le-Zion and then to Jerusalem in March 1918.  Dick proceeded to the Cadet School at Heliopolis in late March 1918 and on 15th June 1918 he was commissioned, appointed 2nd Lieutenant and posted to the General Light Horse Reinforcements.  He joined the Australian Medical Corps (AMC) and proceeded to Moascar Camp.  In late August 1918 he transferred to the 5th Light Horse Regiment and was promoted to Lieutenant on 15th September 1918.  He proceeded to the School of Instruction at El Arish in October 1918 and qualified as an instructor from the 4th Hotchkiss Rifle Course. 

In mid-January 1919 Dick was attached to HQ then detached for duty to 2nd Light Horse Brigade.  He re-joined the 5th Light Horse Regiment in mid-April 1919.  In early June 1919 he marched out to Moascar Camp then proceeded to Alexandria in mid-July 1919 where he embarked on HMT Magdalena for England where he took leave.  On 1st November 1919 he embarked on HMT Nestor for return to Australia.  He disembarked at Melbourne on 16th December 1919 then proceeded by train to Brisbane.  He was placed on the Reserve of Officers List on 1st January 1920 and his appointment was terminated on the 16th January 1920. 

Dick married Hermione Anne O’Toole at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Rockhampton QLD on 25th April 1923…Anzac Day.  They settled in Toowoomba and Dick’s occupation was a produce merchant.  They welcomed 3 children but their eldest child, William Archer aged 3, died in 1927 after a sustained illness.  The family moved to Annerley in Brisbane in 1927 then to Gatton in 1932.

On 16th January 1942 Dick was appointed to full time duty to the Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) and a month later enlisted for WW2 on 16th February 1942 aged 53.  His service number was Q140011, his rank Lieutenant and he was assigned to the VDC Headquarters at Griffith House, Queen Street, Brisbane.  The 23 Queensland Battalions manned searchlights for Anti-Aircraft and Coast Defence Batteries. 

In September 1942 Dick attended the Group Command Conference in Brisbane and was seconded for duty to the HQ “E” Group in Toowoomba QLD.  In June 1943 Dick was appointed temporary Captain and attended a course at the QLD Line of Communication Junior Leaders Tactical School.  In early October 1943 he ceased full time duty and relinquished the rank of Captain.  He was discharged on 8th October 1943 and placed on the Retired List. 

He continued living at Gatton QLD as a produce merchant till 1957 when he moved to Scarborough QLD. 

Dick passed away on 14th January 1970 aged 81.  He is commemorated on the Kumbia WW1 Roll of Honour located at the School of Arts in Bell Street, Kumbia. 

Richard Pilkington Watson was awarded for service in WW1 the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and the Anzac Commemorative Medallion.  For service in WW2 he was awarded the Australia Service Medal 1939-1945 and the War Medal 1939-1945.    

Respectfully submitted by Sue Smith 29th June 2023.