John William Watts

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Thu, 22/10/2015 - 12:27
First Name: 
John
Middle Name: 
William
Last Name: 
Watts
Date of Birth: 
Monday, November 2, 1891
Mother's Name: 
Agnes Watts nee McCullough
Father's Name: 
Thomas Watts
Date Enlisted: 
Wednesday, December 1, 1915
Rank at Enlistment: 
Private
Rank at Discharge: 
Private
Unit: 
1st Battalion
Company: 
C
Service: 
Infantry
Awards: 
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Place of Death: 
Bullecourt, France
Cause of Death: 
Killed in action
Details: 

John Watts (Service No 5265) was born at Meroo Meadows, N.S.W.

He enlisted when he was 24 years old and single.  John worked as a labourer and lived in Berry, N.S.W.  His father, Thomas, who lived at Figtree, N.S.W. was his nominated  next of kin.

John embarked from Sydney on board SS Makarini with 16th Reinforcements, 1st Battalion on 1st April 1916.  The troops arrived in Egypt on 2nd May 1916 and John was quickly sent on to France, arriving on 17th May 1916. 

He joined 9 Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, in the field on 11th July 1916 and went straight into the fighting on the Somme.  John was wounded in action soon after and was evacuated to hospital on 22nd July 1916 for treatment of a gun shot wound to his neck, a serious wound that required his transfer to England.

John was able to rejoin his unit on 13th September 1916 and served on the Western Front until 4th December 1916 when he was admitted to hospital in France suffering from bronchitis.  He returned to his unit on 9th January 1917.

Sometime between 5th and 8th May 1917 John was involved in the fighting at Bullecourt, working as a stretcher bearer.  He was in the trenches carrying a wounded soldier when a shell exploded and his leg was blown off.  John died while being transported to a dressing station for treatment. 

He is buried in Queant Road Military Cemetery, Buissy, France: Plot III,Row H, Grave 28.

Sources: 
NAA: B2455, WATTS JOHN WILLIAM

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