WALTER WATSON, Private S/10600, 2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Bellshill War Memorial

Maternal grandparents' gravestone in Larkhall Cemetery is inscribed:
"Erected by William Irving in memory of his wife Agnes Prentice d. 15.3.1866 aged 23y. Isabella his daughter d. 26.1.1883 aged 14. William his son d. 23.10.1895 aged 18y. Thomas Ramsay Irving d. 3.12.1907 aged 33y interred in Bothwell Cemetery. The above William Irving d. 28.1.1911 aged 69y. Also his grandson Pte. Walter I. Watson. 2nd A & S.H. killed in action 23.4.1917 aged 20y and interred at Heninel".

WALTER WATSON, Private S/10600, 2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, is NOT named on the Larkhall War Memorial. He is named on the Bellshill War Memorial.

WALTER WATSON was born at Craig Place, Main Street, Bellshill, on 12th June, 1895.
His mother was born in Larkhall, hence his connection.

His parents were John Watson, a Colliery Checkweigher, and Jessie Taylor Irving, who were married at Cadzow Cottage, North Road, Bellshill on 8th June, 1894.
His paternal grandparents were Walter Watson, a Journeyman Joiner, and Agnes Baxter.
His maternal grandparents were William Irving, a Fruiterer, and Elizabeth Ramsey.

The 1901 BELLSHILL Census was taken on 31st March, 1901.
The family are listed at Rudnor Terrace, North Road, Bellshill, as follows:
John Watson, age 32, Head, Steam Road-Roller Driver, b Lesmahagow.
Jessie Watson, age 28, Wife, b Larkhall.
Jessie Watson, age 7, Daughter, Scholar, b Bellshill.
WALTER WATSON, age 5, Son, Scholar, b Bellshill.
Elizabeth Watson, age 3, Daughter, b Bellshill.
Agnes Watson, age 1, Daughter, b Bellshill.

On 11th January, 1906, his father John Watson, age 37, died at Helenslea Place, Glebe Street, Bellshill. The cause of death was Diabetes.
 

The 1911 BELLSHILL Census was taken on 2nd April, 1911.
The family are listed at 4 Nelson Street, Bellshill, as follows:
Jessie Watson, age 36, Head, Widow, b Larkhall.
WALTER WATSON, age 15, Son, Butcher, b Bellshill.
Agnes Watson, age 11, Daughter, Scholar, b Bellshill.
Isa Watson, age 8, Daughter, Scholar, b Bellshill.
Kate Watson, age 6, Daughter, Scholar, b Bellshill.
Bethia Watson, age 2, Daughter, b Uddingston.

WALTER WATSON joined the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders as Private S/10600, and went to France.

WALTER WATSON was Killed-In-Action on 23rd April, 1917, age 21.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) entry for WALTER WATSON shows that he is buried at HENINEL-CROISILLES ROAD CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. There are 212 identified casualties buried at HENINEL-CROISILLES ROAD CEMETERY.
 

WALTER WATSON is commemorated at The Scottish National War Memorial (SNWM) in Edinburgh Castle.

The entry in Soldiers Died in the Great War (SDGW) shows that WALTER WATSON was born and lived in Bellshill, and enlisted in Glasgow.
 

The Medal Rolls Index Card (MIC) for WALTER WATSON shows that he was awarded The Victory Medal and The British War Medal. The MIC is undated, which indicates that he went to France after 1915.

The "Soldier's Effects" record shows that his mother Jessie received his Outstanding Pay of £2/18/8 and a War Gratuity of £3/10/-.

His mother Jessie Watson remarried to Daniel Lyle at 50 Wellington Street, Glasgow on 9th January, 1912.
 

3 newspaper clippings:
The Bellshill Speaker, dated 18th May, 1917, page 2, reads:
"WATSON - Killed in action in France, on 23rd ult., 10600 Private Walter Watson, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, dearly-beloved and only son of Mrs D. Lyle, Clark Terrace, North Road, Bellshill, aged 22 years.
- Inserted by his sorrowing mother".

The Bellshill Speaker, dated 18th May, 1917, page 3, reads:
"PRIVATE WALTER WATSON.
Private Walter Watson, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, only son of Mrs D. Lyle, Clark Terrace, North Road, Bellshill, is officially reported killed in action in France on 23rd ultimo. Deceased was in his 22nd year, and, previous to going on service, was employed with Mr Wm. Eglinton, butcher, Bellshill".

The Hamilton Advertiser, dated 19th May, 1917, page 1, reads:
"WATSON - Killed in action, on the 23rd April, 10600 Private Walter Watson, A. and S. Highlanders, aged 22 years, beloved son of Mrs Lyle, Clark Terrace, Bellshill".

His maternal grandparents' gravestone in Larkhall Cemetery is inscribed:
"Erected by William Irving in memory of his wife Agnes Prentice d. 15.3.1866 aged 23y. Isabella his daughter d. 26.1.1883 aged 14. William his son d. 23.10.1895 aged 18y. Thomas Ramsay Irving d. 3.12.1907 aged 33y interred in Bothwell Cemetery. The above William Irving d. 28.1.1911 aged 69y. Also his grandson Pte. Walter I. Watson. 2nd A & S.H. killed in action 23.4.1917 aged 20y and interred at Heninel".

Lest We Forget!

Medal Rolls Index Card (MIC)

Medal Roll for the award of The Victory Medal and The British War Medal

"Soldier's Effects" record

The Bellshill Speaker, dated 18th May, 1917, page 2

The Bellshill Speaker, dated 18th May, 1917, page 3

The Hamilton Advertiser, dated 19th May, 1917, page 1