Anyone point me in the right direction as to this lads unit at the time of capture it certainly was`nt 1st Durham Light Infantry as stated here;- http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/scmetcalfe/pages/2watson3.htm http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=49619&d=1304017627 FIRST NAMES: George Oliver NUMBER: 4458112 RANK: Private UNIT: Durham Light Infantry DOB:1919 STATUS: Died DATE OF DEATH: 31st August 1947 WHERE BURIED: Northallerton Cemetery MEDALS: 1939-45 Star, Victory Medal George Watson was born in Northallerton in 1919 and was the son of John and Sarah Watson and brother to Sydney and Winifred. On the outbreak of war, George volunteered for the army and joined the 1st Battalion the Durham Light Infantry. In 1941 he went to Singapore and it was there where he was captured by the Japanese. He was a POW for more than three years and on returning to England never recovered from the treatment he received from his captors. On the 31st of August 1947, George died of illness and injury. George was the brother of Private Sydney Watson of the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment who was also killed in action. George Watson lies buried in Northallerton Cemetery. He is also remembered on the Northallerton War Memorial. He died aged 28 years. He obviously rejoined the Durhams on his return but who was he with at the time of capture? Anyway to find out? Any suggestions please? Jim
Hello Jim, Nothing on George, but found his brother and copy here: Name: WATSON, Sidney Robert Born: Yorkshire Resident: London SW Rank: Private Service No: 5949867 Battalion: 1st Hertfordshire Regiment Date of Death: 25 November 1941 Theatre of War: Middle East Aged at Death: 26 Family Details: Son of John and Sarah Watson, of Northallerton, Yorkshire. Commemorated or Buried: Buried in Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma, Libya. Plot 3 Row A Grave 21 Source: Roll of Honour - Databases - Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment Men Who Died WW2 - Search Results -I realise you may already have this. George couldn't have been in The Durhams at that time... You probably need his service records. Are you in touch with the family? Best, Steve.
Hello Jim, Nothing on George, but found his brother and copy here: Name: WATSON, Sidney Robert Born: Yorkshire Resident: London SW Rank: Private Service No: 5949867 Battalion: 1st Hertfordshire Regiment Date of Death: 25 November 1941 Theatre of War: Middle East Aged at Death: 26 Family Details: Son of John and Sarah Watson, of Northallerton, Yorkshire. Commemorated or Buried: Buried in Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma, Libya. Plot 3 Row A Grave 21 Source: Roll of Honour - Databases - Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment Men Who Died WW2 - Search Results -I realise you may already have this. George couldn't have been in The Durhams at that time... You probably need his service records. Are you in touch with the family? Best, Steve. Hi Steve, Thanks for taking the trouble to reply mate appreciate it.I`m not in touch with the family but stumbled across both the web entry and the photograph within seconds of each other. The 1st DLI were in the Western Desert,10th and 11th in Iceland,6th/8th/9th DLI Middle East,2DLI Home (Prior to departure Far East 42) 16th DLI Home. The DLI always pride themselves on the fact that no member currently serving with the battalions fell into Japanese hands/captivity...that said if you recall those Japanese Prisoner Cards some of them still had the Parent unit listed as DLI even though they served with the Kings...complicates things when he was back with the DLI (Prob Depot Brancepeth ?)at the time of his death..one to look into further I think next time I`m visiting the DRO I`ll check his number in the Enlistment and discharge books.Thanks again mate Jim
Jim, Here are the George Watson's, as found on the Cofepow database of Japanese POW's. Search Results
Jim, Here are the George Watson's, as found on the Cofepow database of Japanese POW's. Search Results Thanks mate..does this mean he was`nt a PoW of the Japanese? Jim
Jim, Not at all mate, it just means he was not recorded or there is an error. I have a list of 90 men, all of whom died in Rangoon Jail, none of which have cards to THEIR name. Some, including my Grandad have turned up with miss spelled names and other incorrect detail.
Jim, Not at all mate, it just means he was not recorded or there is an error. I have a list of 90 men, all of whom died in Rangoon Jail, none of which have cards to THEIR name. Some, including my Grandad have turned up with miss spelled names and other incorrect detail. Cheers for that...all this Japanese PoW stuff is new and bewildering to me Its not something I`ve previously delved into infact it was only those cards you kindly sent me which got me thinking...Thanks again. Best Wishes Jim
