Harold Watts
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | not known |
| Place of Birth | Bacchus Marsh, Victoria |
| Death | 2 May 1915 |
| Place of Death | Gallipoli Peninsular, Turkey |
| Age at Enlistment | 27 years, 8 months |
| Description | 6'1½" (1.87m) tall; weight 170lbs (77.1kg); fair complexion, blue eyes, brown hair |
| Occupation | sleeper hewer |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | NOK Thompsons Brook, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Brother Mr Horace Watts |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 176 |
| Date of Enlistment | 8 Sep 1914 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit/Formation | 16th Battalion, B Company / 4th Brigade, 1st Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 22 Dec 1914 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A40 Ceramic |
| Fate | Killed in Action 2 May 1915, Baby 700, Gallipoli |
| Monument |
Jarrahdale War Memorial Jarrahdale Honour Roll ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) |
| Medals |
1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal |
Contents
Pre War
War Service
Entered Blackboy Hill camp on 8 Sep 1914 and was allocated to B Company of the 16th Battalion. Following training in WA they went to Melbourne to train with the other elements of their Brigade.
At Broadmeadows camp in Melbourne, Harold was AWOL from the 14th to the 18th December 1914. Fined 2/6 (25 cents) and loss of 5 days pay £1/5/- ($2.50). On 22 Dec 1914 the 16th Battalion boarded the "Ceramic", sharing the trip with the 15th Battalion. After an uneventful voyage they arrived at Alexandria, Egypt on 1 Feb 1915. Following their disembarkation they travelled by train to Zeitoun, on the outskirts of Caro. Here they marched to Heliopolis in the desert where they camped with the Light Horse and other units that were not part of the 1st Division.
Th 16th Battalion embarked in Alexandria for Lemnos Island on 12 Apr 1915 aboard
Initially thought to have been wounded, and was notified as missing on 5 May 1915. Early reports back to Australian were that he was wounded, not seriously, and that relatives shouldn't be concerned if they heard nothing further. A slate as Jun 1915 and even Aug. 1915 the Army were still pushing the point that as nothing further was known they should assume that all was well. The Army regretted that it couldn't establish which hospital he was in. Early casualty levels at Gallipoli were more than either the medical or the HQ units could manage.
It was not until after a Court of Enquiry held at Serapeum in Egypt on 6-8-28 Apr 1916, almost a year later that he was declared to have been Killed in Action on 2 May 1915.
ironically Harold had been promoted the morning of the day that he was killed.
Red Cross File:
"Witness states that he knew a man called Watts in B Company, 16th Battalion. He went out with several others to charge a position at Dead Man's Ridge on 2 May 1915. We took the position, but the casualties were very heavy. As far as the witness knows, this man's body has not been found and witness does not think that he has been seen since." Martin G.H. Cpl B Company 16th Battalion.
Notes
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