WATSON, George William
| Service Number: | B/2653 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 29 June 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Leading Seaman |
| Last Unit: | HMAS Penguin (IV) 1939-1940/HMAS Brisbane 1940-1942/HMAS Moreton (I) 1942-1994 (Depot) |
| Born: | Darlington, Durham, England, 25 February 1910 |
| Home Town: | Brisbane, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Salesman |
| Died: | Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, 16 October 1981, aged 71 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Allambe Memorial Park, Gold Coast |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 29 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Navy, Able Seaman, B/2653, HMAS Cerberus (Shore) | |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Jul 1940: | Enlisted B/2653, HMAS Penguin (IV) 1939-1940/HMAS Brisbane 1940-1942/HMAS Moreton (I) 1942-1994 (Depot) | |
| 10 Apr 1945: | Discharged Royal Australian Navy, Leading Seaman, B/2653, HMAS Moreton | |
| 10 Jun 1945: | Discharged B/2653, HMAS Penguin (IV) 1939-1940/HMAS Brisbane 1940-1942/HMAS Moreton (I) 1942-1994 (Depot) | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement Leading Seaman, B/2653, HMAS Moreton |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Chris Buckley
George was the second of five children of Herbert Watson (born 1878 in Durham, England) and Emma (Emmie) Maw (born 1880 in Durham, England). Herbert was a First Mate in the Merchant Navy in 1906 when he married Emmie. In 1912 he and Emmie immigrated with their two sons, arriving in Brisbane QLD on board the Rimutaka - their third son was born shortly after arrival. Herbert and Emmie settled in Brisbane, QLD where Herbert continued work as a Mariner.
George was a Travelling Salesman in 1940 when he enlisted in the RAN. He served as an LSA (Service No:B/2653) on board HMAS Cerberus, Lonsdale, Kuttabul, Moreton, Penguin and Rushcutter, and was Discharged in April 1945. Brother Jack (Able Seaman, Service No:25617) also served in the RAN in WWII.
In 1946 George married Norma Ruby McPherson (born 1920 in Lismore, NSW) at Murwillumbah, NSW and they settled in Brisbane, where George worked as a Travelling Salesman until he retired.
George and Norma retired to Broadbeach on the Gold Coast in QLD where George died in 1981. Norma died in 2007.