Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of the late James and Sarah Watkins. The War Diary for today records. Battn rested during the day in LANSDOWNE POST. Moved off at 8.00pm. Battn took over front line from which the assault was to be made and by 9.30pm Coy’s were in position. Telephonic communication established with left and right and communication by officers ascertained between men on left and 2nd Div on my right. Eleven bridges were placed over the stream which runs parallel to position and about 20 to 30 yards in front of it, there with the existing four bridges made a total of 15 on the Battn front. It was not possible to place more bridges in position as the stream had been widened at many points by big shell holes, and the trunks and branches of fallen trees also blocked any other places where bridges might have been put. This getting of the bridges into position was an operation of great difficulty on account of the constant flares and bursts of fire from the enemy’s parapet. It was skilfully and quietly done with only two or three casualties. At 10.45pm two platoons were crossed over to the far side of the stream. Four more platoons were formed up ready, in the trenches to go forward and support the leading platoons. The remaining two Coy’s were formed up lying down behind the parados in close column of platoons ready to advance. Thus the whole Battn was got into its final position in order of attack and as close up as possible. This final formation was complete by 11.20pm and thanks to the able leading of Coy Commanders the movement was carried out in perfect order, and with no noise. At 11.30pm the leading platoons went forward to the assault closely supported by the second line. The lines in rear went forward to take up the positions vacated by the leading line. At the same time, or if anything some seconds before 11.30pm the enemy opened a very heavy fire with rifles and machine guns. A few minutes afterwards trench mortars and shrapnel searched the stream and the ground on both sides of it. The enemy threw from their parapet some kind of fire grenade which burst into fire on impact with the ground, and these with continuous flames of all colours, literally turned night into day. The leading men pushed on but only a few were able to reach near the enemy’s parapet. Each succeeding line came under a very heavy fire, the bridges got so blocked and the obstacles caused by fallen trees and shell holes so impeded movement that effective support could not be given. Thus the impetus of the assault was broken before it really got a proper start. The enemy’s parapet was fully manned and the accuracy and intensity may be understood from the fact that 8 officers, Platoon Commanders were killed or wounded. About 12 midnight reports were received from the front that our attack could not reach the German line, orders were then given to withdraw to our own trenches.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
The following information was kindly submitted to the project by F Tilley in 2016: "John was born in 1896 in Worthington, Leicestershire John was the son of the late James Watkins and Sarah Watkins who died when giving birth to him.
John siblings were: George, William (in Long Eaton, Nottingham in 1919) and Ted.
John also had 3 sisters: Mary, Fanny and Edith, no age given in 1919.
John was cared for by his aunt. John’s Service Records from 1919 has a note from her saying she raised him, and he said in his will he wished to dispose of his belongings to her husband and children, she didn’t know where his dad lived, nor his married sisters, signed his aunt, Clara Jackman of 21 Hermitage Road, Whitwick, Coalville, Leicestershire. Another note stipulated: His medals should be retained on behalf of R Jackman in Service No 37925, 6th Batt, Royal West Surrey Regiment, from 21 Hermitage Road, Coalville, Leicestershire John’s medical records stated him being 20 and 50 days, being 5 feet 7 ¾ inches, 122 lbs, with good vision and a good physical pulse rate and resided in Thringstone, Leicestershire, at his Dad’s address with brother George.
John was a Collier before the war.

Military Service

John joined at Leicester on the 9th August 1914.
He was at the Depot on the 9th August 1914, then posted on the 13th of August. With the 1st Battalion on 11th January 1915, then with the 2nd Battalion on 14th March 1915 John was killed in action in Flanders but the place was not stated. He died on 15 th May 1915 Age 21 His casualty was reported by the 3rd Leicestershire Regiment.
John’s records were in Service Records reg No 4920. He also had another regimental No: 9930 John Watkins war awarded The 14-15 Star on February 1922 and, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal on July 1922 On John’s Service Records it is stated that:”His medals should be retained on behalf of J R Jackman, in service No 37925, 6th Battalion Royal West Surrey Regiment, whose address was 21 Hermitage Road, Coalville, Leicestershire.
John had put as next of kin his father James Watkins living in Thringstone, Leics, as well his brother George living at the same address, and his brother William residing in Long Eaton, Nottingham.

He is remembered with Honour on the Le Touret Memorial. Pas-de-Calais (62) –France : ref:panel 11.
John Watkins is commemorated in Coalville at the Clock Tower War Memorial, Coalville, Leicestershire"

Coalville Times article - Friday February 5th, 1915

“GOD BLESS YOU ALL”

Cosham, Hants.

I received your parcel with great pleasure and I am pleased to tell you that by the time you receive this letter, I shall be ready to get on the boat for France. I am very glad they are sending me out to the front to fight for my King and country and I am living in hopes of coming back. If I do, I will come up and see you. I hope you will live long and die a happy lady for your kindness to the soldiers of Coalville. Please remember me to the people that live at 21, Hermitage Road. Give the children my best love and tell them we are going to France on Monday. Good night and good luck to the women of Coalville. God bless you all.

Pte. J. Watkins
3rd Leicester Regiment

Researched undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 4/10/2017.