Joseph's Story.
Nantwich Guardian, Friday, May 24th, 1918.
Official news has been received by Mr. and Mrs George Watson, of Farnworth, late of Ashton-on-Mersey, of the death from wounds on April 30th of their eldest son, Lieutenant and Quarter master Joseph Watson, M.C., D.C.M. he was severely wounded on April 29th. As a boy he received his education at the national Schools, Sandbach, under Mr. Nock, and at the age of 12 years won a scholarship at the Grammer School. He enlisted in the Durham Light Infantry in 1898. At the outbreak of the South African war he was orderly room sergeant in the 4th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He served in the war and was awarded the Queens Medal with four clasps, was promoted colour sergeant in 1903 orderly room quartermaster sergeant 1907, regimental quartermaster sergeant 1910, and regimental sergeant major (1st class warrant officer) march 1914, Durham Light Infantry. He went with the battalion to the front on September 8th, 1914, fought through several battles and was mentioned in dispatches for gallant conduct in the field March 1st, 1915, and 9th August 1915. He was awarded the D.C.M. for conspicuous gallantry in the field 1st January 1916. He was wounded on December 28th, 1915, and returned to the front in July 1916; was awarded Good Conduct Medal August 1916; mentioned in dispatches 10th April, June 7th and September 3rd, 1917; awarded Military Cross January 1st 1918, for gallant conduct under very heavy shell fire; promoted Lieutenant Quartermaster Regular Army 28th December 1917. He was offered a commission as far back as 1914, but always preferred to remain with his old regiment. He leaves a widow, father, mother, two brothers and one sister.
Tributes from Officers.
Brigadier-General Pratt writes: “His loss will be an irreparable one in the battalion. They will miss him sadly. It is a comfort to you to know how necessary he made himself to everyone in his battalion, and you must indeed be proud of him.”
General Bush, his former colonel writes: “your husband and I have done a great deal of work together, and I think you know how much I admired him and appreciated his sterling work. He will be sadly missed and his successor difficult to find.”
Colonel Brereton writes: “He was such a fine noble Christian character. His influence amongst us can hardly be estimated. This is the opinion of all the old regular officers. Besides losing his valuable services, I have lost a great personal friend. For himself we know that all is well”
Colonel Hale (depot) writes: “He has done his duty nobly for close on four years in the field. I know his name and record will never be forgotten in the battalion,”
Major Manglin (War Office) writes: “He and I have worked so much together before the war. No one held a higher opinion of his qualities, and above all his high sense of duty. His consideration for all ranks makes it difficult to fill his place.”
The Rev. B. C. Hopson, chaplain writes: “I have known your late husband for some time and saw a great deal of him. We often slept in the same hut and had our meals in the same mess. I was greatly drawn to him by reason of his sterling qualities as a Christian man and a soldier. His death is greatly felt by all, both officers and men, in his battalion. I saw him a week ago, He was well and cheery, as he always was. We were moving to another place. Your husband was wounded with a shell that fell near the road. He was taken by an ambulance and conveyed to a hospital. I shall never forget your husband, nor will he ever be forgotten by the officers and men who were fortunate enough to meet him. He often spoke of you and his happy married life, and while ready to do his duty to the utmost of his ability here, he longed for you and home”.