Private John Watson

Private John Oliver Watson, 1st Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. He died from wounds in France, aged 26, in the 56th Casualty Clearing Station on the 30th March 1918 during the German Spring Offensive. He had been born in Jedburgh and was the son of Andrew and the late Janet Watson of Jedburgh and 6 Brown Street, Renfrew and the husband of Christina Watson of 12 Murray Street, Maryhill, Glasgow. Before enlisting he had been working in a grocery in Glasgow. He was mortally wounded on the 28th March in the fighting against the German attacks near Arras. The supply of grenades ran out and the survivors retired to join the Welsh Guards. The battalion suffered 364 casualties that day. He is buried in Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France where his Headstone is inscribed ” Beloved Husband of Christina Robinson. Thy Will Be Done “. The photos show troops in defensive positions during the offensives.