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Cenotaph record

William Thornton Watson

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Lieut W.T. Watson DCM - Nelson, NZ. Served AIF.

Lieut W.T. Watson DCM - Nelson, NZ. Served AIF.

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Identity

About

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  • Title
  • Forenames
    William Thornton AWMM
  • Surname
    Watson AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
  • Service number
    4377 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
  • Religion
    Church of England, Christian AWMM

Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    10 November 1892 Peter Dennis, UNSW Canberra Nelson, Tasman Peter Dennis, UNSW Canberra
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
    Pre 19 March 1915 AWMM 17 Washington Valley, Nelson, New Zealand AWMM
  • Post war occupation
  • Next of kin on embarkation
    Robert Watson, 17 Washington Valley, Nelson, New Zealand AWMM
  • Relationship status
    Pre 19 March 1915 AWMM Single/WWI AWMM

Service

Wars and conflicts

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Military decorations

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  • Medals and Awards
    • Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) AWMM
    • Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) AWMM
      Distinguished Conduct Medal - 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He displayed great gallantry and coolness in going to the assistance of wounded men, under heavy fire. He has set a splendid example throughout.' - 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 189- 08/11/1917 AWMM
    • Military Cross and bar (MC*) AWMM
      Military Cross - 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Foucoucourt, on 27th August, 1918, when he accompanied the attacking infantry as forward Observation Officer. The enemy offered strong resistance, frequently holding up the advance with machine gun fire. In one case, he worked his way forward several hundred yards in front of our outposts, directing the fire of three batteries, which gave great assistance to the infantry by barraging machine gun nests and strong posts. he showed fine courage and initiative throughout.' - 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61- 23/05/1919| Bar to Military Cross - 'For conspicuous gallantry at Nauroy, near Bellicourt, on the night of 2nd-3rd October, 1918. His battery was the centre of an enemy bombardment, which continued for over four hours. Though badly gassed himself, he tried to save the life of a wounded officer. He showed great energy and devotion to duty, and stayed with his battery until next day, when it was withdrawn from the line.' - 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 10- 29/01/1920 AWMM
    • 1914-1915 Star AWMM
    • British War Medal (1914-1920) AWMM
    • Victory Medal AWMM

Training and Enlistment

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  • Military training
  • Branch Trade Proficiency
  • Enlistment
  • Occupation before enlistment
  • Age on enlistment

Embarkations

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Prisoner of war

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  • Capture details
  • Days interned
  • Liberation date
  • Liberation Repatriation
  • POW liberation details
  • POW serial number

Medical history

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  • Medical notes

Last known rank

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Biographical information

Biographical information

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  • Captained AIF Rugby XV: King's Cup competition, United Kingdom, 1919; Australia, 1919; South Africa, 1919.
    Also served in World War II in 2nd Garrison Bn from 4 March 1940 (appointed Temporary Captain, 15 June 1940); transferred to 1st Papuan Infantry Bn, 26 June 1940. AWMM

Death

About death

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  • Death
    1961 AWMM
    Brooklyn, New York City AWMM
  • Date of death
    9 September 1961 Public - Peter - Researcher - 20 September 2017 - Dictionary of Australian Biography
  • Age at death
    68 Public - Peter - Researcher - 20 September 2017 - Dictionary of Australian Biography
  • Place of death
    Veterans Administration Hospital, New York USA Public - Peter - Researcher - 20 September 2017 - Dictionary of Australian Biography
  • Cause of death
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

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  • Memorial name

Roll of Honour

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Sources

Sources

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  • External links
    Australian Dictionary of Biography
    http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/watson-william-thornton-9007
    Further Reference
  • References
    • AIF Peter Dennis, UNSW Canberra AWMM
    • Haigh, J., Polaschek, A. (Eds.). (1993). New Zealand and the Distinguished Service Order. Christchurch, N.Z.: Authors. AWMM
      p.445 AWMM

Contributors

Command item
Command item
Add new record Refresh
DateFirst namesLocationRelationshipContact
20 September 2017PeterNelson NZResearcher
26 June 2017JeniferWairarapaResearcher

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