Watson, EB

Lieutenant Edward Baker Watson

Born 18^th August 1880, Edward was the son of George Watson and his wife Mary. Very little is known about the period between his departure from Dulwich in 1897 and his emigration to Australia in 1911. During his time in Australia he lived in Wingham, New South Wales.

In October 1915 Edward enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces as a private and reported for duty on the 14^th of that month. He embarked for Egypt on board the troopship HMAT Nestor on 16^th January 1916. After receiving a commission as Lieutenant he proceeded to France in March, disembarking at Boulogne. He was in the trenches throughout the spring and summer of 1916, and on 27^th June 1916 he was reviewing his men’s letters when their section of the line was heavily bombed by the German artillery at Fleurbaix. Leaving his dug-out to check up on his men, he was badly wounded by a bomb. He was taken to Estaires hospital, where he died later that evening. He is buried at the Sailly-sur-la-Lys Canadian Cemetery and his name is on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial.