John William Watson
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 30 May 1892 |
| Place of Birth | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Death | 16 Mar 1969, aged 76 |
| Place of Death | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 48 years, 4 months |
| Description | 5'7" (1.70m) tall ; ; ruddy complexion ; blue eyes ; dark brown hair ; tattoo both wrists, bullet wound left shoulder, bayonet wound right arm |
| Occupation | Road worker |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Sixth road, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs. Maude Agnes Watson |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W27334 |
| Date of Enlistment | 4 Oct 1940 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit/Formation | 16th Australian Leave Train Cooking Section |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Remained in Australia |
Pre War
Electoral Roll entries: 1925 at Peel Estate, farmer; 1936 - 1943 at 10 Salisbury avenue, South Perth, truck driver.
During WW1 John had served with the 16th Battalion
War Service
John enlisted on 4 Oct 1940 and was taken on strength by the 10th Australian Garrison Battalion. On 20 Jan 1941 he was transferred to Y Garrison Company as a full time member of staff (cook), but barely had he settled and he was on the move again, this time to the 4th Australian Field Survey Company at Bunbury on 26 May 1941. On 4 Jun 1941 he was allocated to No. 1 Section at Bunbury. While with them he was classified as a Trade Group II Cook on 15 Aug 1941. On 20 Oct 1941 he was moved to Busselton, returning to his host unit on 20 Nov 1941 so that he could under take a training course at the Western Command Cooking School at Claremont.
On 15 Dec 1941 John rejoined his unit, and from 26 Dec 1941 until 22 Jan 1942 he was allocated to the No. 3 Section based at Donnybrook and was then sent to join the Section operating out of Wanneroo until 6 Apr 1942. On 1 May 1942 John was sent a week long cooking course after which he was sent to join Camp staff Chidlows from 8 May 1942 to 29 Jun 1943. While there he was promoted Acting Corporal on 20 Jun 1942. On 30 Jun 1943 John was transferred to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot for re-assignment.
John joined 5th Line of Communications Signals Company for a few days before being posted to Western Australian Leave Train Cooking Sections at Northam commencing 16 Jul 1943. On 1 Nov 1943 he moved to Mingenew until 6 Dec 1943 when he returned to Northam. On 10 Jan 1944 John was admitted to 110th Australian Base Hospital with a hernia, returning to his unit on 7 Feb 1944. Further hospital treatment was required from 1 - 5 May 1944 and then a period of rest at the L.M.C.H. This was followed by a further period in the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot awaiting his next posting which was to HQ 3rd Australian Corps from 6 June until 25 July. During that time he was Medically Boarded and classified as B2.
From 26 Jul 1944 until 30 Aug 1944 he was detached to the 4th Australian Field Survey Company for a week and then on 30 Aug 1944 to the 16th Australian Leave Train Section. On 13 Oct 1944 his rank of Corporal was confirmed, and on 11 Jan 1945 he was once again in front of a Medical Board, which this time imposed further restrictions (suitable for light duties only - no heavy lifting). However he returned to his unit and it wasn't until 9 Nov 1945 that he was again with the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot, this time for his discharge which was accomplished on 16 Nov 1945.
Post War
During 1945 John married Maude Agnes Ellis (1898 - 1966) in Fremantle.
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 - 1968 at Sixth road, Armadale, road worker.
Notes