Clarence Victor Watson
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | unknown 1898 |
| Place of Birth | Kalgoorlie, Western Australia |
| Death | 13 Oct 1961, aged 63 |
| Place of Death | Fremantle, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 18 years old |
| Description | 5'10" (1.78m) tall; 127 lbs (57.6m); fair complexion, blue eyes, light brown hair. |
| Occupation | grocer's assistant |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Eighth avenue, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Mother Mrs Hannah Elizabeth Watson |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 284 |
| Date of Enlistment | 24 Feb 1916 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit/Formation | 44th Battalion, B Company, transferred to 51st Battalion / 13th Brigade, 4th Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 6 Jun 1916 - 26 Jul 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A29 Suevic |
| Date of Return | 15 Jan 1919 - 20 Feb 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | SS City of Exeter |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 2 Apr 1917 at Noreuil Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Armadale (West Armadale) |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
War Service
Initially allocated on 3 Mar 1916 to B Company of the 44th Battalion in Claremont camp, he sailed with them to England. Records show that while he embarked on 31 May 1916, the ship didn't sail until 6 Jun 1916.
After completing his training in England with the 13th Training Battalion he proceeded to France on 8 Oct 1916, initially to reinforce the 11th Battalion, but on 20 Oct 1916 he was transferred to the 51st Battalion, joining their reserve group at Reninghelst 10 kms south west of Ypres.
Clarence served with the Lewis Gun Section of A Company. During the night of 1 Apr 1917, A, B, and D Companies of the 51st Battalion moved into position for an attack on Noreuil, with all in readiness by 3:40am on the 2nd.
From the description of the battle in the unit's War Diary, it is likely that Clarence's wound was caused during either the initial advance when 60 casualties were caused by enemy machine guns in the villages of Noreuil and Longatte, or later when the objective had been reached, but the Australians had then needed to retire under machine gun and rifle fire to positions more able to be held against counter attack.
Clarence's injury was a GSW to his left buttock. He was first treated by the 4th Australian Field Ambulance, before being admitted to the 11th Stationary Hospital in Rouen where he was assessed before returning to his unit via the 2nd Convalescent Depot. On 25 Apr 1917, Clarence rejoined his battalion and two months later on 28 Jun 1917 he was appointed Lance Corporal, and then on 20 Apr 1918 he was promoted to Corporal.
On 23 Aug 1917 he entered the 39th General Hospital in Le Havre with herpes, remaining with them until 16 September, and then again between 14 and 26 Nov 1917 with orchitis. On 22 Apr 1918 Clarence was admitted to hospital in France with an abscess on his jaw before being moved four days later via HMHS Aberdonian to the Beaufort War Hospital in Bristol with an abscess on his right thigh.
Recovered, he was given leave from 21 May to 4 Jun 1918 in London, before reporting to No 1 Convalescent Depot in Sutton Veny. In July 1918 and Oct 1918 he had two brief stays in Bulford hospital with VD that had resulted from leave taken in London.
"... Went to the front in the 44th Battalion on the 6th June, 1916. Now serving with the Lewis Machine Gun section in the 51st battalion."[1]
Casualty List 291 lists Clarence as Wounded[2]
Post War
In 1932 Clarence married Winifred Mary Joslin in Fremantle. Winifred died 15 Aug 1997 aged 88 in Bentley.
Electoral Roll entries - 1921 - 1936 at 66 South street, grocer (with mother 1921 - 1931). Winifred lived at 30 South street, shop (?) at 66 South street. 1943 Clarence now shown at 30 South street; 1949 - 1972 only Winifred at 30 South street; 1977 - 1980 Winifred at 4/59 Waddell road, Bicton.
Notes
His father was William Harrington Edward Watson