Private Alfred Watson

Army Number: 23101

Battalion: 15th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys) Regiment.

Born at Hucknall, Nottinghamshire. Son of Alfred and Kate Watson, of 5 Bentinck Street, Hucknall. Was a coal miner at Linby Colliery prior to enlisting at Nottingham. He served in Gallipoli with the 9th Battalion prior to moving to the 15th Battalion. He died of wounds 22nd October 1917.

“Alfred Watson. Like many other local men, he joined the gallant Sherwood Foresters, and was trained at Sunderland. He then went out to Egypt, where he spent his 21st birthday. He was next sent to France from the land of the Pharaohs, and was over two years away from home, not being granted a leave even before going to France.

“Nevertheless, he stuck to his task in facing the foe, and last July had a bayonet wound. Pte. Watson was single, and locally was well-known as a good footballer.

“A letter from the matron to the deceased’s sister states: “Your brother was severely wounded in the chest and leg, and although everything was done for him he passed away on October 22. He was too ill to realise he was dying, and did not suffer much. He was very brave and patient.”

“The Church of England chaplain writes: He was admitted to the Casualty Clearing Station suffering from shrapnel wounds in the chest. All that skill and care can do was done for him by our sisters and doctors, who assure me that he was too ill to feel much pain.” [1]

(1) Hucknall Dispatch, 15th November 1917

Buried: Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium. Plot XII. Row E. Grave 7.

Private Alfred Watson is also commemorated on the following local memorials:–
St. Mary Magdalen Church War Memorial, Hucknall, Nottinghamshire.
Titchfield Park War Memorial, Hucknall, Nottinghamshire.