Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Harold was the son of William Henry WATKINS & Hester Ellen BLACKEBY and was born on the 12th of January 1899 in Christie Street, Exeter, SA.

His parents were married on the 9th of January 1881 at the residence of Rev. Bogle, Glenelg, SA.

His father was the son of Thomas WATKINS & Elizabeth OSBORNE and was born on the 19th of April 1855 in Pt Elliot, SA.
His mother was the daughter of Phillip William BLACKEBY & Susan Elizabeth WILD and was born on the 29th of October 1860 in Norwood, SA.

Harold was the tenth child born into this family of 11 children.

His father was a butcher and the family rented a five roomed wooden home in Christie Street, Exeter from Messrs. Smith Channon & Co.

On Monday the 13th of October 1902 at 4pm the Port Adelaide and Semaphore Fire reels where called to their home as the home was on fire.
His mother had gone to a meeting and left the children at home playing about the premises.

When the firemen arrived at their home the place was well alight and it was considered the wisest plan to protect the adjoining properties.
Their house was completely demolished and their contents, which were uninsured, were also consumed.
One of Harold’s brothers had first noticed the fire in a bedroom but its origins were unknown and he was unable to offer an explanation.

All of their furniture was destroyed and they had to accept the generosity of their friends, who gave them a nights lodging.

Harold later became an uncle for the first time when he was just 7 years old.

After he completed school he attended the senior cadets and then gained employment as a teamster.

His father died on the 2nd of March 1918 in the Adelaide Hospital from Chronic Nephritis and they buried him in the Cheltenham Cemetery.

At the age of 19, Harold enlisted into the 1st AIF on the 17th of June 1918 in Adelaide and allotted the service number 62159 and posted to B Company in Mitcham Camp.
He was then transferred to the 4th General Reinforcements “S”.U.K.

In early August a farewell social was held for Harold at his brother’s residence in Bower Road Glanville. Harold was presented with a wristlet watch and other parcels.

Harold embarked from Adelaide on board SS Gaika on the 6th of August 1918 and disembarked in London on the 13th of October.
He was then attached to the Australian Motor Transport Service (AMTS) Headquarters in Tidworth, as a driver.

Harold embarked from England on board HT Konigen Louise on the 18th of December 1919 and spent Christmas 1919 on board the ship before disembarking in Adelaide on the 2nd of February 1920 and being discharged from the AIF on the 26th of February 1920.

Harold gained employment with the South Australian Railways in Quorn.

Harold married Laura Elizabeth May GLASS on the 13th of November 1926 in Quorn, SA
Laura was the daughter of George Edward GLASS & Rosalie Christine GEBUR and was born on the 15th of May 1895 in Hawker, SA.
Laura already had a little girl; Ruby Hilda GLASS, born on the 6th of December 1918 in Quorn, so Harold became a step-father.

They made their home in north Quorn and welcomed their first child; Herbert John, on the 15th of November 1927, followed by William Edward on the 17th of June 1930.
Harold was then transferred to Pt Augusta and they moved into a little home in Tassie Street.

Kenneth Frank was then born on the 24th of September 1931, followed by Mervyn Harold on the 27th of September 1935.

In October 1937 little William, aged 7 years, had not come home from school and Harold reported him missing.
He was found 12 hours later at Tarcoola, over 250 miles from Pt Augusta, in the brakevan of a stock train which had left Port Augusta about 7.30pm.

William was very interested in trains and this apparently possessed him to go for a ride.
He had crawled into an empty cattle truck and when darkness had set in had dodged the guard and transferred to the brakevan where he slept until the train reached Tarcoola.

By 1939 the family had been transferred to Cook and a few years later they were transferred to Whyalla and lived at 10 Agett Street.

Laura died on the 27th of August 1969 and Harold buried her in the Whyalla Cemetery; Section E, Row 28, Plot 15.

Harold died on the 15th of July 1970 in Whyalla and was buried in the Whyalla Cemetery 2 days later; Section E, Row 28, Plot 15 with his wife Laura.

Military

At the age of 19, Harold enlisted into the 1st AIF on the 17th of June 1918 in Adelaide and allotted the service number 62159 and posted to B Company in Mitcham Camp.
He listed his mother, of Russell Street, Glanville, as his next of kin and she gave her permission for him to enlist.
On the 25th of July he was transferred to the 4th General Reinforcements “S”.U.K.

Harold embarked from Adelaide on board SS Gaika on the 6th of August 1918 and 2 weeks later he was admitted into the hospital on board the ship for 4 days suffering from Influenza.
He was admitted again for 4 days on the 14th of September suffering from Influenza.

He disembarked in London on the 13th of October and marched into the 9th Training Battalion in Fovant and was transferred to the 43rd Battalion, reinforcements.
On the 3rd of November Harold suffered from Influenza again and was admitted into the Endell Street Military Hospital in Fovant and he was in hospital when the Armistice was signed on the 11th of November.
The following day he was discharged and granted 3 days leave before rejoining his Battalion.

On the 2nd of December Harold was detached to duty with the Australian Motor Transport Service (AMTS) Headquarters in Tidworth, as a driver.
Harold went AWOL on the 28th of April 1919 and was forfeited 6 days pay.
On the 18th of September he was admitted into the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital in Bulford with a Venereal Disease.
Three weeks later Harold was discharged to No.2 Command Depot in Sutton Veny and then rejoined his Service.

Harold embarked from England on board HT Konigen Louise on the 18th of December 1919 and spent Christmas 1919 on board the ship before disembarking in Adelaide on the 2nd of February 1920.

Harold was discharged from the AIF on the 26th of February 1920 and awarded the British War Medal.