Cpl. (later Sgt.) Benjamin Albert Watson DCM, 282444, 2/4 London Regiment

[Ivor Anderson]

Cpl. (later Sgt.) Benjamin Albert Watson DCM, 282444, 2/4 London Regiment

His service record does not appear to have survived. Trying to fill the gaps in his war record. 

Born: 26 March 1891 Parents Benjamin Charles Watson & Mary Hill, 17 Temple Street, Hackney. Father a house decorator. Parents married 13 April 1873

Baptised: Holy Trinity, Dalston, 21 October 1891

1891 Census (11 days) 17 Temple Street, Hackney. Older brother Harry & 5 sisters.

1894 (3 April) admitted to Gayhurst Road School

1896 Father Benjamin died Q3, aged 44, Hackney

1897 (28 May) mother remarried - Stephen Rankin

1901 Census: 26 Lenthall Street, Hackney. With mother, step-father & siblings

1911 Census: 20 Gransden Avenue, Hackney, age 20, warehouse packing porter. With mother & step-father.

 

Entered France 30 September 1917 (MIC) -a transfer date? 

Previously Sgt. 5399, 4 London Regt. (Medal award page gives theatre service dates 24-01-17 to 19-12-17)

DCM listed in London Gazette 19 November 1917 for action on 20 September 1917 - Battle of Menin Road Bridge, 3rd Ypres/Passchendale. Citation in LG 30512, 6 February 1918 (attached)

This engagement is described in detail in the 4 London Regimental history.

1920 he became CQMS of B Company, 4 London Regiment

 

1923 ER - 20 Gransden Avenue, Hackney

1923 (25 Dec.) married Caroline Dunbar - both 'aged 32' (Caroline actually 10 years older, b.6-6-1882). He was then a ‘coiner in Royal Mint’.

1924 mother died Q3 in Hackney aged 73

1926 Oct. Benjamin Watson died at Brixworth, Northamptonshire aged 35. Buried Abney Park Cemetery, Stoke Newington, Hackney.

         (His wife Caroline was a widow at the time of her mother's death in 1938. Caroline d. in Brighton in 1970 aged 87).

Edited 26 July , 2020 by Ivor Anderson

[Ivor Anderson]

The report of the action of 20 September 1917 in the 2/4 London Regiment WD (NA WO-95-3001-9-) and the account of it from the regimental history:

(p.315 of the Bn. history records that 2/Lt. F. W. Walker was awarded the DSO, Capts. A. Grover, S. Davis & Lieut. E. H. P. Altounyan the MC, Sgt. Watson, Ptes. Bolton, Austin, Anthony & Bull the DCM, and Sgts. H. O. Wilderspin & F. W. Tandle, Ptes. J. W Ling and A. Westcott the MM.)

4 London War History: https://archive.org/details/warhistoryof4thb00grim/page/318/mode/2up

Edited 5 August , 2021 by Ivor Anderson

[Ivor Anderson]

DCM of Benjamin Albert Watson DCM, 282444, 2/4 London Regiment - for September 1917

 

Edited 2 March , 2021 by Ivor Anderson
Additions

[Ivor Anderson]

Benjamin Albert Watson's older brother, Harry Charles Watson, also served with the London Regiment, 22nd & 24th Battalions.

Harry was born 17 July 1877, married Frances Elizabeth Wood in Hackney 10 June 1905 and died 4 June 1944.

His service number was 684218. He enlisted in December 1915, but was only mobilised in 1917. He was wounded twice in 1918.

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/1219/images/31239_206419-01098?treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true&usePUBJs=true&pId=2100723

Edited 2 March , 2021 by Ivor Anderson

[clk]

Hi Ivor,

 

Initially serving with the 3/4 Bn London Regiment...

 

5397 Wilson - mobilized from the Army Reserve 12.2.1916

5398 Coleman - mobilized from the Army Reserve 11.2.1916

5399

5400 Browning - mobilized from the Army Reserve 11.2.1916

5405 Austin - mobilized from the Army Reserve 11.2.1916

 

The annotated version of his citation from the DCM registers

 

Images sourced from The National Archives

 

Regards

Chris

 

[Ivor Anderson]

Thanks Chris.

That confirms that he was mobilised around 11th February 1916. His Medal roll shows he was in France from 24 Jan to 19 Dec 1917.

Strangely, his MIC says he was in theatre from 30 September 1917, yet he won his DCM on the 20th September 1917? (Ancestry images)

Edited 3 March , 2021 by Ivor Anderson
Correction

[clk]

Hi Ivor,

 

19 hours ago, Ivor Anderson said:

That confirms that he was mobilised around 11th December 1916

 

I think that it's February 1916.

 

Regards

Chris

[Ivor Anderson]

Sorry Chris. Meant 11 February 1916 - corrected it. Working on another soldier at same time! Thanks. 

As on his medal roll, he arrived in France with the 2/4th Battalion on 24th January 1917 and moved to 2/3rd Bn. on 19 December 1917?

Edited 3 March , 2021 by Ivor Anderson

[Ivor Anderson]

Sgt. George Frederick Victor Bunyan 282237, also of the 2/4th Bn. London Regt., got a MSM - listed in the LG 17 June 1918 (Ancestry images).

His medal card gives his active service dates as in France from 24 Jan 1917 (same as Benjamin Watson):

Edited 3 August , 2021 by Ivor Anderson

[Ivor Anderson]

Sgt. GFV Bunyan's younger brother 2 Lt. Reginald Montague Bunyan of the 3rd London Regt. won the MC for gallantry.

Reginald went to France as 2125/301328 5th London Regt. from 14 Oct 1915 to 6 July 1916 (M Roll).

He was discharged to take up a commission with 3rd London Regt. on 29 August 1917. 

MC citation LG 16 September 1918: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30901/data.pdf

Edited 5 August , 2021 by Ivor Anderson

[Ivor Anderson]

Sgt Benjamin Watson won his DCM near Schuler Farm, E of St. Julien on 20 September 1917. Map dated to 1 October 1917 - https://maps.nls.uk/view/101464912

Edited 22 January , 2023 by Ivor Anderson

[Ivor Anderson]

Benjamin Watson died in Q4 1926 aged 35. He was buried in Abney Park Cemetery, Stoke Newington, London Borough of Hackney, Greater London, England.

In sec. D04, Index 7S11. Burial # 145033: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/110480790/benjamin-watson