Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Frederick Richard Watson was born in the 3rd quarter of 1883 in the Registration District of St George Hanover Square, London to George Watson and Elizabeth Hamilton.
At the time of the 1891 Census, Frederick and his sister, Florence Margaret Watson, lived with their uncle, butcher, Alfred Stanton and his family at The Beeches, Charmouth Street, Charmouth, Dorset.
At the time of the 1901 Census, Frederick was a boarder of railway clerk Charles Sapsed at Hillmorton, Rugby, Warwickshire. Frederick was working as a railway clerk.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Frederick was a boarder of railway signalman Robert Mawby and his family at 48 Grosvenor Road, Rugby, Warwickshire. Frederick Richard was working as a clerk.
Frederick Watson enlisted in London S.W. into the 17th Battalion, the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). He was a Private with regimental number E/266. At the time of his enlistment Frederick resided in Mitcham, Surrey. In his enlistment papers he stated that he had been born in Westhumble, Surrey.
Frederick Richard disembarked on the 17th of November 1915 in France.
He was mortally wounded in action on the 13th of November 1916 in France.
Frederick Richard Watson is buried at the Waggon Road Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel, France. His grave reference number is F. 13.
The inscription on the headstone, erected by his father George Watson, reads: “Know Unto God”.
His father George Watson lived at 43 Whitford Gardens, Mitcham, Surrey.
Frederick Richard’s father received £8, 8s and 11d on the 21st of November 1917 and a further £9 and 10s on the 20th of October 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
Frederick Richard Watson was awarded the British War and Victory medals and the 1915 Star.
Watson Family History
Frederick Richard’s father George Watson was born about 1852 in Saffron Walden, Essex to cordwainer George Watson Snr, born about 1819 in Saffron Walden, Essex, and Mary Ann Watson, born about 1823 in Saffron Walden, Essex. At the time of the 1871 Census, George Watson Jnr was a butler of Leopold G. Heath, Knight Commander of the Bath and Captain of the Royal Navy, at Anstie Grange, Dorking, Surrey.
Frederick’s mother Elizabeth Hamilton was born in the 3rd quarter of 1846 in Bromley, Kent to butler and grocer Richard Hamilton, born about 1811 Windsor, Berkshire, and laundress Jane Hamilton, born about 1814 in Acton, Middlesex. At the time of the 1861 Census, the family lived in Holmwood, Dorking, Surrey. Richard Hamilton was working as a butler and Jane Hamilton was a laundress. The household further comprised of their daughters: dressmaker’s apprentice Elizabeth and Fanny.
George Watson Jnr and Elizabeth Hamilton married, by Banns, on the 24th of July 1877 at St Michael’s church in Mickleham, Surrey. At the time of the marriage George Watson was working as a tobacconist and lived at Holy Trinity in Windsor. Elizabeth Hamilton lived in Mickleham.
Frederick Watson had two known sisters: Amy Helena Watson born in the 1st quarter of 1879 in Westhumble, Surrey and Florence Margaret Watson born in the 1st quarter of 1881 in Westhumble, Surrey. Amy Helena was baptised on the 16th of February 1879 at St Michael’s church in Mickleham. At the time of the baptism, the family lived in Westhumble and George was working as a grocer. Florence Margaret was baptised on the 20th of February 1881 at St Michel’s church, Mickleham. The family still lived in Westhumble.
At the time of the 1881 Census, the family lived at Boxhill Villa in Mickleham, Dorking. George Watson was working as a grocer and Elizabeth was looking after their daughters Amy Helena and Florence Margaret. The household further comprised of George’s cousin I. Bleach and her daughter A. I. Bleach.
Frederick’s mother Elizabeth Watson died in the 2nd quarter of 1884 in the Registration District of St George Hanover Square, London.
| Born | Hanover Square, London | |
| Lived | Mitcham | |
| Son of | George Watson and Elizabeth Hamilton of 43 Whitford Gardens, Mitcham, Surrey | |
| Regiment | 17th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers | |
| Number | E/266 | |
| Date of Death | 13th November 1916 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 33 | |
| Cemetery | Wagon Road Cemetery, Beaumont Hamel, France |
