Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Frederick Richard Watson was born in the 3rd quarter of 1883 in the Registration District of St George Hanover Square, London to George Watson and Elizabeth Hamilton.
At the time of the 1891 Census, Frederick and his sister, Florence Margaret Watson, lived with their uncle, butcher, Alfred Stanton and his family at The Beeches, Charmouth Street, Charmouth, Dorset.
At the time of the 1901 Census, Frederick was a boarder of railway clerk Charles Sapsed at Hillmorton, Rugby, Warwickshire. Frederick was working as a railway clerk.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Frederick was a boarder of railway signalman Robert Mawby and his family at 48 Grosvenor Road, Rugby, Warwickshire. Frederick Richard was working as a clerk.
Frederick enlisted in London S.W. into the 17th Battalion, the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). He was a Private with regimental number E/266. At the time of his enlistment Frederick resided in Mitcham, Surrey. In his enlistment papers he stated that he had been born in Westhumble, Surrey.
Frederick disembarked on 17th November 1915 in France. He was mortally wounded in action on 13th November 1916 in France.
Frederick Richard Watson is buried at the Waggon Road Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel, France. His grave reference number is F. 13.
Personal Headstone Inscription © CWGC.org
The inscription on the headstone, erected by his father George Watson, reads: “Know Unto God”.
His father George Watson lived at 43 Whitford Gardens, Mitcham, Surrey.
Frederick’s father received £8, 8s and 11d on 21st November 1917 and a further £9 and 10s on 20th October 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
Frederick Richard Watson was awarded the British War and Victory medals and the 1915 Star.
Watson Family History
Frederick’s father George was born about 1852 in Saffron Walden, Essex to cordwainer George Watson Snr, born about 1819 and Mary Ann Watson, born about 1823, both in Saffron Walden. At the time of the 1871 Census, George Watson Jnr was a butler of Leopold G. Heath, Knight Commander of the Bath and Captain of the Royal Navy, at Anstie Grange, Dorking.
His mother Elizabeth Hamilton was born in the 3rd quarter of 1846 in Bromley, Kent to butler and grocer Richard, born about 1811 Windsor, Berkshire, and laundress Jane, born about 1814 in Acton, Middlesex. At the time of the 1861 Census, the family lived in Holmwood, Surrey. Richard was working as a butler and Jane was a laundress. The household further comprised of their daughters: dressmaker’s apprentice Elizabeth and Fanny.
George Jnr and Elizabeth married on 24th July 1877 at St Michael’s church in Mickleham. At the time of the marriage George was working as a tobacconist and lived at Holy Trinity in Windsor. Elizabeth lived in Mickleham.
Frederick had two known sisters: Amy Helena born in the 1st quarter of 1879 and Florence Margaret born in the 1st quarter of 1881, both in Westhumble.
At the time of the 1881 Census, the family lived at Boxhill Villa in Mickleham. George was working as a grocer and Elizabeth was looking after their daughters Amy and Florence. The household further comprised of George’s cousin I. Bleach and her daughter A. I. Bleach.
Frederick’s mother Elizabeth died in the 2nd quarter of 1884 in the Registration District of St George Hanover Square, London.
| Born | Hanover Square, London | |
| Lived | Mitcham | |
| Son of | George Watson and Elizabeth Hamilton of 43 Whitford Gardens, Mitcham, Surrey | |
| Regiment | 17th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers | |
| Number | E/266 | |
| Date of Death | 13th November 1916 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 33 | |
| Cemetery | Wagon Road Cemetery, Beaumont Hamel, France |
