Second Lieutenant John Watson

Second Lieutenant John Watson, 17th ( Service ) Battalion, Royal Scots. He was killed in action in France during the German Spring Offensive on 27th April 1918 on the River Lys, aged 30. He was the adopted son of Alexander Watson of Branxton, Cornhill-on-Tweed and the husband of Jessie Watson of ” St Regulus ” Church, Haddington. He is buried in Harponville Communal Cemetery, Somme , France. He had been employed in London by the British Linen Bank when in September 1914 he enlisted in the 9th ( service ) Battalion Seaforth Highlanders. Promoted Colour Sergeant he landed with the Battalion in France in May 1915. In May 1917 he was commissioned into the Royal Scots and joined the 17th Battalion in France later that year. The photos show Allied troops in defensive positions during the battle.