Private William Watson

Private William Anderson Watson, “C” Coy. 7th ( Service ) Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. He was killed in action in France, aged 19, on 24th April 1918 during the German Spring Offensive on the River Lys. He had been born in Bonkyl, Preston, Duns and was the son of Adam and Agnes Watson of Paitshill, Cockburnspath and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, Pozieres, France. He had been employed at Ecclaw Farm, Cockburnspath and had joined the 8th Territorial Royal Scots when they were formed in April 1914. He was only 15 years old when the Battalion was mobilised in August 1914 and he was transferred to the Army Service Corps before eventually being posted to the Bedfordshires in France. The photos show troops in defensive positions in April 1918.