Archibald Watson
From Our Contribution
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 17 Apr 1889 |
| Place of Birth | Dumbarton, Scotland |
| Death |
unknown "unknown" contains an extrinsic dash or other characters that are invalid for a date interpretation. |
| Place of Death | Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 28 years, 3 months |
| Description |
5'3" (1.60m) tall ; 124 lbs 56.245 kg ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; light brown hair |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Address | Station House, Serpentine, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr Archibald Watson |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 3946 |
| Date of Enlistment | 9 Jul 1917 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 51st Battalion, 11th Reinforcements / 13th Brigade, 4th Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 30 Oct 1917 ‒ 27 Dec 1917 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A60 Aeneas |
| Date of Return | 9 Oct 1918 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Leicestershire |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Serpentine Roll of Honour |
| Medals | British War Medal |
Pre War
Previously reject due to defective vision in left eye. Also required extensive dental treatment.
War Service
Entered Blackboy Hill camp on 9 Jul 1917 and was allocated to the 11th reinforcement draft for the 51st Battalion a week later. Archibald was transferred to Victoria for specialist training at some point as his departure point from Australia was Melbourne.
During the voyage to England he was admitted to the ship's hospital from 5 - 9 Dec 1917 with tonsillitis.
On arrival in Devonport, England he was sent first to the 13th Training Battalion at Codford, and then on 11 Apr 1918 he was transferred to the 12th Training Battalion. It appears that he did not go to France, and was never taken on strength by the 51st Battalion.
Married in the UK on 28 Jun 1918 to Elizabeth Young, a 28 years old Spinster Yarn Worker, of 439 Main street, Bonhill, Scotland.
On 30 Nov 1918 he was transferred to No.2 Command Depot in Weymouth to prepare for an early return to Australia due to "Contractive fingers right hand".
Archie was discharged by the 5th Military District on 15 Feb 1919.
Post War
Notes