Gunner Roy Cameron WATSON (1894-1915)

Service # 2/79 & 2/1690; Gunner, New Zealand Field Artillery, 6th Howitzer Battery, 5th Reinforcements, New Zealand Expeditionary Forces (NZEF).

Born 9 February 1894 at Nelson, South Island, New Zealand.

Son of Robert G. Watson -  of Nelson.

Brother of Lieutenant Kenneth Watson (Service # 2/1116) of the New Zealand Field Artillery  - who was killed in action at the Somme, France - on 5 October 1916.

Roy Watson was educated at Nelson College. He attended College from 1909-1912.

Prior to enlistment for war service Roy Watson was employed as a Clerk - with the Treasury Department, New Zealand Government, at Wellington City, North Island, New Zealand.

Roy Watson enlisted for war service - on 8 August 1914 - at Wellington, North Island, New Zealand.  He was 20 years of age.

At enlistment Roy Watson was posted as a Gunner with the New Zealand Field Artillery, NZEF.

Gunner Roy Watson embarked from New Zealand - for overseas war service - twice.

(1) Embarked from New Zealand - as a Gunner with the NZ Field Artillery, NZEF - as part of the Samoa Advance Party. He served with the Samoa Advance Party from 11 August 1914 to 22 March 1915. He served at Samoa.

After returning to New Zealand, from Samoa, Gunner Roy C. Watson was discharged -  on 22 March 1915 - at his own request - from further military service - at Wellington.

Roy Watson would later re-enlist for war service. His re-enlistment service # was 2/1690.

Gunner Roy Watson  left New Zealand, again, for overseas war service, He disembarked at Suez, Egypt.

On 21 September 1915 Gunner Watson left Egypt for active war service - at Gallipoli, Turkey.

On 14 December 1915 Gunner Roy C. Watson was killed in action - at ANZAC, Gallipoli, Turkey.

Gunner Roy C. Watson is commemorated on the Chunuk Bair (New Zealand) Memorial, at Chunuk Bair Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey (Panel 8).

Gunner Roy C. Watson, and his brother Lieutenant Kenneth Watson, are also both remembered in their hometown in New Zealand -  on the Nelson ANZAC Memorial Park Cenotaph - at ANZAC Park, Nelson City, South Island, New Zealand.

Gunner Roy C. Watson is also remembered on the World War 1 Memorial Window at All Saints' Church, at Nelson.

For Gunner Roy C. Watson's full military record refer to New Zealand Online Cenotaph : www.aucklandmuseum.com

Photo Credit : Auckland War Memorial Museum (Auckland, New Zealand).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jenifer Everett