4189281 Cpl William Christopher Watson - RWF 1930's

[ernest]

is there any pics

[susanjane]

Aboard ship bound for Japan and calling at Gibraltar. Ship departed London on 13 July 1934
Ship Hakazaki Morn or Moru.Ship might be Hakogaki. Nippon Yusen Line based on Kaisha

Outgoing passengers include 'Soldiers'
WEAVER Thomas 22 124 Kings Mill Rd Wrexham
DAWSON Wilfred 22 of Cannock, Staffs
WATSON William 21 409 Penbregethin Rd,Swansea
GRIFFITHS Robert 24 of Caernarvon
PURCELL John 29 of Whitchurch,Salop [Shropshire]
WILLIAMS Richard 22 of Mostyn
SHAKESAFF[?] Benjamin 24 of Newport

Hope this helps someone.
I can look for fuller addresses for those not given here on request! I will see if I can find others going to Gibraltar on other ships.

I didn't find William WATSON returning to UK when he left China/Hong Kong--or India.

Sue
Might it be worth starting a thread just for these names?

[susanjane]

Sorry--I missed off
MEHAGAN --22 of Dowlais,Glamorgan

Sue

[ivor43]

Hi.

I think the ship was most probably the SS Hakozaki Maru of the Japanese NYK Line. she was built in 1922 some 10,415 tons and was torpedoed in 1945 by the U.S.Submarine U.S.S. Balao. i can not find a record of the July 34 voyage, only timetable images for 1930/31 and 35.

http://www.timetableimages.com/maritime/images/nyk.htm


but i will keep looking



ivor

[susanjane]

The ships tonnage is entered as 7156 and the Master was Y WANTABE

Further up the page-apart from the 8 soldiers-was RAVEN Frederick 36 of Eat St ,Coggershall,Essex. Maybe not Welch Fuseliers.

On other ships I have found several groups of soldiers bound for Gib. All entered as c/o Records Office,Lichfield apart from CRAILSHAM Harry aged 47 Major of 35 Sloane st, London SW.in 1931

From Free BMD the most likely candidate now for Ernest's grandfather is William WATSON born Swansea Dec q 1912 Mother formerly ENGLAND but there are also others born in Bedwelty, Ruthin andNeath in years 1912/13.

But in Mar 1913 there is William Watson born in Neath--mother formerly KENT .And in Plymouth William C K Watson --mother KENT. Maybe a typo or just possibly a Service or Mariners family moving around and registering him in both places?
Sue

[ivor43]

Hi.
The Hakozaki Maru is shown on 2 shipping lists as 10,413 tonnes. However all ships have 2 published Weights A Net Tonnage and a Deadweight Tonnage. Deadweight Tonnage is the Maximum weight that a ship can safely carry and net register tonnage, without cargo.
so a vessel could have a DWT of 10,413 but a Net Tonnage of 7156 which would give it a load capacity of 3,250ish Tonnes. so both sets of figures could be right.
Now.
Captain Y Wantabe. The following link is interesting.
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AAF/...O/IJO-Bio.html

It Contains the Name.

''WATANABE, Yasuji, Captain, I.J.N. Nav. No. 13

WATANABE was an officer of 25 years experience in the regular Navy. He specialized in gunnery and served as Gunnery Officer on several staffs including that of Admiral YAMAMOTO, CinC Combined Fleet, 1940-1943. During the PEARL HARBOR attack and the Battle of MIDWAY, he was with Admiral YAMAMOTO. Subsequent to these battles he also served as Landing Force Officer on the Combined Fleet Staff.

He had an excellent service reputation among other Japanese Naval Officers. During the interrogations he was most helpful in providing information and operation plans of the Combined Fleet. Outside sources have substantiated this information. He spoke very good English and all interrogations were conducted in that language.

Instructor, Gunnery College YOKOSUKA 1937-1938
Staff, 7th Cruiser Squadron 1938-1939
Staff, Second Fleet 1939-1940
Staff Gunnery Officer, Combined Fleet 1940-1943
Member of Council, Military Affairs, Navy Department 1943-1945
Staff, Supreme Headquarters TOKYO 1945''

Very similar.
I am not sure if a Japanese Navy Capt would have had a NYK ship i will have to check.

Ivor

[ivor43]

hi.

photo of.

Hakozaki Maru

http://www.combinedfleet.com/Hakozaki_t.htm


ivor

[susanjane]

It is WATANABE--Another of my typos!!

Was he, amongst others, sent off on reconnaisance journeys to spy out harbours, fortifications etc??!!

I have found in Outgoing Passengers

William Watson 39 Police Officer going to Hong Kong 13/Nov/1953 on P&O ship 'Carthage'
Doris Jane 43 wife
Diane Wakefield Watson 2 home 9 Fitzroy St, Cathay

with William having been in HK and China pre War this would be a suitable job.

Also, in the photo of William with one other man, head and shoulders, I had wondered before whether he had on Mess Dress or Number 1 Dress or Policeman Uniform.

Has anyone any suggestions?
Sue

[ivor43]

hi.
Confirming sailings for Hakozaki Maru 1934


23 February 1934 London Japan
12 July 1934 London Japan
30 November 1934 London Japan

from '' find my past''


ivor

[ivor43]

Hi.
Susanjane. No i do not think Captain Watanabe was spying out anything.
I have looked up the Japanese Combined Fleet, and i think it likely, with the tension between Japan and China from 1933 caused by what is known as the Manchurian Incident, that the SS Hakozaki and other ships were requisitioned by the Japanese Navy. It is recorded that the Hakozaki became a Troop Ship at the outbreak of hostilities. So it is my belief that whilst still working as a Passenger/Cargo liner it was part of the JIN reserves with a Naval Captain.
Possibly.

ivor