Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Benjamin Watson. Harry enlisted at the age of either sixteen or early seventeen initially into the 2nd/5th Battalion of the Leics. Regiment, and before embarkation on the 25th February 1915 he was transferred to the 1st/5th Battalion. Harry was wounded by shellfire at Gommecourt on the Somme in July 1916 and was invalided home to England. In early February 1917 after being passed fit for active duty he was reposted to the 2nd/4th Battalion and joined them at Fovant Camp near Salisbury in Wiltshire, he embarked at Southampton on the 24th February 1917 and arrived in Le Havre the following day. Harry then saw continuous action with his Battalion during the many engagements that included the Battles of the Lys and the Battle of Bailleul. During April 1918 the Battalion were engaged with the enemy at Crucifix Corner on the Kemmel-Bailleul front and it was here that Harry lost his life. The War Diary records the following for the actions of the 14th to the 18th April 1918. S.5a. Sheet 28. 2.30am. Battalion stood to in field south of road, Germans attacked about 3.00pm. See appendix attached.
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS 14th to 16th APRIL 1918
14th April 1918
The Battalion ordered to move into Support position along Sunken Road in S.5a.and b (running east and west).
15th April 1918
Battalion “Stood to” ready to move in fields south of road before mentioned about 2.30pm. About 3.45pm C Company was ordered to proceed to 4th LINCOLNSHIRE REGT and occupy high ground about b.17 central as a garrison for that locality. This Company was unable to reach their destination as the enemy had occupied the crest of the RAVELSBERG RIDGE, the Company deployed along road in S.10d. and S.11a. and advance to a line running from S.17a.1.9 to S.11b.4.3. filling a gap in what appeared to be the front line, as no British troops could be seen in front of them. The Company was then in touch with the 4th LINCOLNSHIRE REGT on their right, but could not get touch on the left, although some troops could be seen in the direction of S.12a. At 4.55pm A Company was ordered up as Reserve to 4th LINCOLNSHIRE REGT and reached Railway cutting from S.11c. central to S.11a.2.8. getting in touch with 4th LINCOLNSHIRE REGT there about 5.30pm. Till about 6.45pm these Companies did considerable damage to the enemy while he was establishing machine gun posts on the RAVELSBERG crest but later owing to the withdrawal of the troops on their left and the enemy’s advance down the forward slopes from CRUCIFIX CORNER, had to withdraw, C Company to the road from S.11a.4.0 to S.11a.9.4 and A Company to a line from S.11c.5.7. to S.11c.9.5 in this position these two Companies came under the orders of Major LAMBERTON (9th HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY) and were disposed, A Company in its original position and C Company on a line extending from A Companies right flank about 400 yards almost south west.
16th April 1918
About 12.30am orders were received for the Battalion to withdraw through the 34th Division to SOUTHILL CAMP where they arrived about 3.30am with orders to “stand to” in the camp at the usual hour. About 5.30pm orders were received for the Battalion to take up a position in artillery formation in the area close to the junction of, and between the roads leading from BAILLEUL and DRANOUTRE to LOCRE. Arrived in position about 8.30pm. 4th and 5th LINCOLNSHIRE REGT on the left and 6th/7th ROYAL SCOTS FUSILIERS in front. Orders to withdraw about 11.00pm, and Battalion returned to SOUTHILL CAMP about 1.00am 17th.
17th April 1918
Resumed position of support in road on slope on right of LOCRE – DRANOUTRE ROAD about 9.00am but were heavily shelled and forced to take up position in the open on the opposite side of valley near BAILLEUL – LOCRE ROAD, and dug accommodation for protection and concealment. Casualties about 80 including a few gas cases. Withdrew about 10.30pm to camp on MONT ROUGE arriving about 12.30am 18th.
18th April 1918
Resumed position in trenches dug on 17th, A Company sent to 2nd SHERWOOD FORESTERS and D Company to 1st LEICESTERSHIRE REGT both occupying parts of RED LINE in support

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday June 14th, 1918

LOCAL CASUALTIES

Pte. H. Watson (Coalville), of the Leicestershire Regiment, is reported killed in action.

Coalville Times article - Friday April 11th, 1919

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of our dearly beloved son, Drummer H. Watson, of the 2/4th Leicesters, who fell in action, April 15th, 1918.

“Do not ask us if we miss him,
There is such a vacant place,
Can we ere forget his footsteps
Or his dear, familiar face?”

“The midnight star shines o’er the grave,
Of a dear son, and soldier brave,
How brave, how dear, we shall understand
When we meet again in that better Land.”

From his sorrowing Mother, Father, Brothers and Sister; also Winnie.

Coalville Times article - Friday April 16th, 1920

IN MEMORIAM

Watson – In loving and affectionate remembrance of Drummer Harry Watson, killed in action, April 15th, 1918.

“Ever in our memories.”

From Dad, Ruth, Jack and Ben

Coalville Times article – Friday April 2nd, 1920

WAR MEMORIAL AT HUGGLESCOTE CHURCH

UNVEILED BY COL. R. E. MARTIN

A tablet which has been placed in Hugglescote Parish Church, to the memory of men from the parish who fell in the war, was unveiled by Lt.-Colonel R. E. Martin, C.M.G., on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a large congregation.

The tablet is of excellent design, in keeping with the handsome edifice, and is of a permanent character, the names of 101 men being inscribed on Swithland slate, set in a frame of Ketton stone, surmounted by a cross and crown encircled in a carved laurel wreath, with similar carvings on either side. The inscription runs as follows:

“Their name liveth for evermore.”

“To the Glory of God, and in imperishable memory of the men of the parish who fell in the great war, 1914 – 1918.”

The names of the men inscribed on the tablet are as follows:-

H. A. Attwood, C. T. Beadman, J. Brooks, W. Baker, J. E. Briggs, H. G. Blackham, J. T. Bishop, J. Barrs, G. Barrs, R. Beadman, E. Bonser, G. Beale, J. G. Bennett, E. S. Boot, W. Berrisford, F. J. Betteridge, F. P. Benistone, J. W. Cawley, F. Chamberlain, J. A. Crookes, R. A. Cross, L. Cross, J. Cox, P. Cliff, J. W. F. Collier, C. Drewett, H. B. Drewett, S. Dodds, A. Elkin, H. C. Elkin, J. Farn, H. Fletcher, H. Finch, L. Finch, G. Firban, G. Gadsby, A. Gamble, S. F. Gamble, W. Gray, W. O. Hoden, O. Hallam, B. Hatter, J. Haywood, W. Hill, F. Hill, J. E. Hibbert, G. Hart, G. H. Highfield, E. Harper, J. W. Harper, H. Hall, J. E. Holmes, J. Jones, W. Jones, F. J. Kirby, I. V. Kelham, H. Lewis, W. Lewis, W. Massey, H. O. Moseley, T. Marriott, G. Martin, J. A. Moult, J. Maunders, J. Moon, I. Mycroft, W. Newbold, O. H. Pratt, J. A. Pegg, F. Pink, E. H. Palmer, W. Riley, A. T. Richardson, W. Rogers, C. Simmons, E. A. Stinchcombe, J. Summers, S. Summers, C. Shilton, G. Slatter, J. Smith, J. C. Shaw, S. Smith, G. Spencer, S. C. Smith, J. W. Setchell, W. Statham, A. G. Tovell, S. T. Timson, J. Tebbatt, F. Whitmore, E. Willett, B. Walker, H. Watson, C. H. Walker, J. Woods, T. Willett, A. Wright, A. Wood, J. Young and W. Young.

As the congregation passed into the church, members of the Hugglescote Church Lads’ Brigade, with the ex-Sergt.-Major W. Hill in charge, lined up on either side of the entrance and two of the Brigade with bowed heads and leaning on reversed rifles, stood by the memorial, covered with the Union Jack.

The service, which was very impressive, was conducted by the Rev. Canon Broughton (vicar) and opened with the hymn, “Stand up for Jesus.” Then followed prayers and collects. Psalm 130, and a lesson read by the Rev. J. C. Wallace, after which the clergy and choir proceeded to the memorial, led by the churchwardens, Messrs. W. E. Canner and J. W. Fletcher.

In unveiling the tablet, Colonel Martin said “To the glory of God and in imperishable memory of the men of this parish who fell in the great war 1914 – 1918, I unveil this tablet, which has been erected by their fellow parishioners in grateful recognition of their self-sacrifice.”

The “Last Post” having been sounded by buglers of the Church Lads’ Brigade, the choir and clergy returned to their places and Colonel Martin gave an address from the chancel steps.

He spoke of the memorable days in August 1914, when the principles on which our national life is based were being assailed, and it was the part of every true man to stand in defence of them. They had tangible proof that the spirit which was then evoked in the nation was the same spirit as that shown by their forefathers who went out to fight country’s enemies. He would never forget the day about the end of August, 1914, when the North Midland Territorial Division, which had been mobilised about three weeks, was told to fill up its ranks for service abroad. It fell to him, among others, to come back into Leicestershire to try and explain to the people what they were up against, and he remembered what a splendid response they gave. In the North Midland Division, between 80 and 90 per cent of the men said they were prepared to go anywhere, though many of them were married men who had never experienced Army service before. Many things have happened since – much self-seeking, a desire to get rich quickly, many apparent inequalities of justice and self-sacrifice – but he was sure they could all take comfort from the fact that there was tangible proof given in those days that the nation was sound at heart and could be trusted to do the right thing when the crisis really arose. And what happened when the armies got overseas and began their real work? He ventured to say that no one had the privilege of serving in a better battalion. The men from that district – Coalville men they always called them – were a splendid lot of men filled with genuine enthusiasm for fitting themselves for the part which they had to play, and who on getting across the water, proved themselves as good as the best. He went on to speak of evidences of practical Christianity displayed by the men, and of deeds of heroism which came to his notice. One instance he recalled was when they were between Hill 60 and Ypres. When the Brigadier realised that he had in the ranks men accustomed to mining, he formed a number of Coalville men into a mining section, whose duty it was to construct projecting galleries in front of the trenches, to find out if the Germans were under-mining. One day a member of the party came across a German mine filled with German explosives in large quantities, and it would have been a very natural thing for him to want to get away from it as soon as possible, but instead of that, he crawled over the top and disconnected the mine and came back and reported it to his commanding officer. This man, whose name was Starbuck, had no thought for his own safety, but first took steps to safeguard his comrades.

Proceeding, Col. Martin said his services came to an end in October, 1915, but he had always felt ever since then that the war had been worth while, if for nothing else than for the fine spirit it brought out, and if the same spirit could be shown in regard to present day problems, it would go a long way towards reaching a solution. He was not one of those who said this country ought to have stood aside and have taken advantage of the trade while other countries were fighting. The people, who said that, he thought, were wrong. He thought that what the people of this country did when they found what they were up against should be an example and pattern to them now. If the war had done nothing else, with all the misery, self-sacrifice and sorrow, he believed they were worth while because they afforded the opportunity which was taken by so many of showing a truly Christian spirit. He believed that experience had not been lost, but would help them to get through present day difficulties with credit to themselves.

The closing hymn was 11, “For all the saints,” and a collection was taken for St. Dunstan’s Hostel for Blind Soldiers and Sailors. As the congregation were leaving the church, Mr F. Baxter (organist) played, “O, rest in the Lord.” Before and after the service, peals were rung with the bells half-muffled.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 28/2/2018