George William WATSON

George William WATSON Update Details

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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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Biography 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.

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