Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Veteran Soldier
Major John Alexander Watt, D.S.O., V.D., who will be 70 years of age tomorrow. was born in Aberdeenshire, and in his early youth came to South Australia. He began life in the North, and was one of the best-known  business men in later years in Port Augusta, Quorn, and Burra. Wherever he was, Major Watt, with characteristic Scotch thoroughness and, capacity for detail, helped every movement for the educational advancement of young folk, and became an enthusiast in military training. Many hundreds of boys were instructed by him in military work and rifle shooting. He was a crack shot. Major Watt knows how to handle lads. A. soldier in every sense of the word, he is a kindly-natured man, comprehending youth, yet withal a strict disciplinarian.
He was first enrolled as a private during the Russian scare. In six months he worked up to the rank of color-sergeant. Subsequently he was made lieutenant. He formed a mounted company, as it was known in those  days, and it proved its right on many occasions to be classed as an efficient body. In the Boer war Major Watt was given command of a squadron of Imperial Bushmen. Major Watt was mentioned in despatches by Lord Kitchener for conspicuous bravery and fearless leadership, and when he went to London at the end of the campaign he received from His Majesty the King the medal of the Distinguished Service Order. When he returned to Adelaide Major Watt was presented with an address by the officers who served under him, and which he highly prizes. In it the officers refer to "Your sterling qualities as a brave, gallant, fearless leader, in whom we had the most unbounded confidence. Your solicitous care for the welfare and comfort of those serving under you earned our love and gratitude, and also won our highest admiration."