WATT, Edward James
| Service Number: | 20112 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 2 March 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 8th Field Artillery Brigade |
| Born: | South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, December 1890 |
| Home Town: | Essendon, Moonee Valley, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Railway employee |
| Died: | War related - otitis and cerebral abscess, 11th Australian General Hospital, Caulfield, Victoria, Australia, 7 June 1921 |
| Cemetery: |
Williamstown (General) Cemetery, Victoria, Australia |
| Memorials: | Essendon Baptist Church HR |
World War 1 Service
| 2 Mar 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Gunner, 20112, 8th Field Artillery Brigade | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 May 1916: | Involvement Gunner, 20112, 8th Field Artillery Brigade , --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '4' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Medic embarkation_ship_number: A7 public_note: '' | |
| 20 May 1916: | Embarked Gunner, 20112, 8th Field Artillery Brigade , HMAT Medic, Melbourne | |
| 2 Oct 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Bombardier, 8th Field Artillery Brigade | |
| 28 Dec 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 8th Field Artillery Brigade | |
| 7 Jun 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Corporal, 20112, 8th Field Artillery Brigade , Battle of Messines, Gas | |
| 20 Dec 1917: | Honoured Military Medal, Battle of Messines, 'At PLOEGSTEERT on the night of 4th/5th June, 1917, the Battery position and Group Exchange were subjected to very heavy shell fire and the positions had to be temporarily evacuated. Corporal WATT on his own initiative laid a fresh line to the Group Exchange by himself for a period of 7 hours and thus maintained communication with all five Batteries...unable to read last line.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 219 Date: 20 December 1917 | |
| 14 May 1918: | Discharged AIF WW1, Corporal, 20112, 8th Field Artillery Brigade , 2nd MD |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From How We Served
The final resting place for 20112 Corporal Edward James Watt MM of Essendon and Moonee Ponds, Victoria who had been a railway employee prior to his enlisting for War Service on the 2nd of March 1916. Edward was allocated to the 8th Field Artillery Brigade 1st AIF and was embarked for England and further training on the 20th of May, and by the 30th of December he was deemed ready to be sent to France.
Edward was formally taken on strength with the 108th Howitzer Battery, and his service in the field would be continuous until he was wounded in action on the 7th of June 1917 by a gas shell which caused him shell shock and gas poisoning.
Prior to his being wounded, Edward had been recommended for the Military Medal for his bravery whilst under fire. Evacuated to hospital, Edward would be sent back to England for treatment, arriving on the 13th of June. The injuries received by Edward were not quick to mend, and it was reported that he was becoming deaf due to the concussion of the explosion.
Following on going treatment Edward was classed as an invalid and was repatriated back to Australia, departing England on the 31st of October 1917.
Having returned to Australia Edward was admitted into the 11th Australian General Hospital (Caulfield) for ongoing treatment, and he was to receive his official discharge from the 1st AIF on the 14th of May 1918 for his re-entry into civilian life. Edward’s health further deteriorated due to the wounds he had suffered in 1917, and he was readmitted into the 11th Australian General Hospital (Caulfield) on the 23rd of May 1921 for treatment for otitis and cerebral abscess.
Whilst still a patient Edward died whilst undergoing treatment on the 7th of June 1921, after which he was formally interred within Williamstown Cemetery, Victoria.
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