4189281 Cpl William Christopher Watson - RWF 1930's

**ap1** · 12-01-2014, 09:30

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Guys, a Gibraltarian family on Facebook are trying to find out more about 4189281 Cpl William Watson who was in the regiment in the 1930's. The request comes from his grandson who's parent was born on Gibraltar whilst Watson was serving there.

It looks like he left the island in the late 1930's and was never seen or heard of again. What we do have is as follows.

From Richard Ward:. William Christopher Watson joined the RWF on 11th July 1930 and left the regiment on the 10 April 1941. At this stage that's all we've got.

His family traced him to an address in Swansea in 1938 after writing to the 2nd Bn in India in that year. Any of our researchers have this man on their files? What would good is his date and place of birth, as this will be a springboard to identifying living family.

Finally for the experts, can the family apply for his service record, without the date of birth?

Thanks

**Baconwallah** · 12-01-2014, 13:10

Originally Posted by ap1

Finally for the experts, can the family apply for his service record, without the date of birth?

The form says "Service number and/or date of birth", Al, so no problems expected.

Here are the download links for both forms required:

Request for Service personnel details: next of kin form (v6) (PDF)

Request for Service personnel details: British Army part 2 (PDF)

Fill in the forms, then add three tenners and that's it.

John

**ap1** · 12-01-2014, 13:47

Thanks John, i've passed that detail onto them, i'm hopeful they will register on here.

**ap1** · 12-01-2014, 15:52

In the 1911 Census. The 29 Richards St addess in Manselton, Swansea was occupied by the "Wood" family

**ap1** · 12-01-2014, 19:46

One of the issues with the forms John, is the requirement for a death cert and NOK details…also feasibly this man may still be alive(unlikely). We know he joined in 1930. So i'm assuming he was aged 15-22…so a possible birth between 1908-1915….Nightmare. I've asked the enquirer "Ernest" for any other small pieces of info...

**ivor43** · 12-01-2014, 20:24

hi.
1911 census only comes up with.

http://www.1911census.co.uk/search/r...x?x=1998505838

ivor

**ap1** · 12-01-2014, 20:34

Thanks Ivor, but I can't read that, as you need a log in. I have sent a message to one possible family tree on Ancestry…But the entry lacks detail. Williams grandson, Ernest, also has pictures of William serving in China….Looking at Red Dragon. The 2nd Bn arrived in Gib in 1931 and departed on the 21st Oct 1934. Heading to Hong Kong.

On the 14th Aug 1937, the 2nd battalion at short notice deployed to Shangai from Hong Kong to protect foreigners and property as the Japanese expansion into China gathered pace. They departed in Jan 1938, heading back to Hong Kong.

So it fits that he was a 2nd Bn man, as per the attached letter in 1939 sent by the 2nd Bn from India

**ivor43** · 12-01-2014, 20:45

hi

ok .basically it says.
Schedule type Household.

Last Names Watson.

First Names William Christopher.

Sex Male.

Birth Year 1911

age in 1911 2 Months.

District/other West Bromwich

County/other Staffordshire.

ivor

**ivor43** · 12-01-2014, 21:12

hi.
a bit more.

Ancestry are listing 6 William C Watsons.
The West Brom one B jan Qtr 1911
1 Oct Qtr Neath.
1 Jul 1910 Pontyprydd.
3 1912 1 Apr qt southwark
1 jul qt Darlington
1Jul qt Godstone

**ap1** · 12-01-2014, 21:37

Thanks Ivor, keep that on the back burner as it may be useful after Ernest has had a further talk with his father(Williams son) next week. If he knows where William was born we can then narrow it down.

Also note that "C" may not be on official documents…so it could also be William Watson.