4189281 Cpl William Christopher Watson - RWF 1930's

[ivor43]

hi. could be this guyName: William Watson
Event Type: Immigration
Event Date: 1943
Event Place: New York City, New York, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 32
Birthplace: Scotland
Ship Name: Leerdam
Birth Year (Estimated): 1911
Affiliate Publication Title: Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, NY, 1897-1957
Affiliate Publication Number: T715
Affiliate Film Number: 6698
GS Film number: 002310503
Digital Folder Number: 007258600
Image Number: 00236



Citing this Record:
"New York, New York Passenger and Crew Lists, 1909, 1925-1957," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/2H9S-KCN : accessed 29 Nov 2014), William Watson, 1943; citing Immigration, New York City, New York, United States, NARA microfilm publication T715, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.; FHL microfilm 002310503.

[ivor43]

HI.
Al.
These 2 records are for different persons. if you look at the set of serial numbers you will see they are different. and Scottish is used quite frequently as opposed to British.

[ap1]

Thats the guy I showed the transcript of in post #136. A Marine Engineer. Not our guy, not after a career in the infantry. Additionally place of birth? Arbroath.

[ivor43]

hi.

this is a link too family search and you can see my search parameters.the first 2 entries. were on different ships. but the first is the one i posted earlier.

https://familysearch.org/search/reco...r%3A1943-1943~


ivor

[ap1]

Again, he's Scottish and serving at sea for 9 years! Our man is Welsh and has spent most of his working life in the infantry. Could he really be 1st Engineer in a few short months?

Also Marriages, assuming he did get married. Neath may not be relevant other than the birth registration. We know he was living in Swansea in 1938.

[ivor43]

Al.
the first 2 entries re weddings.

https://familysearch.org/search/reco...r%3A1943-1943~

ivor

[susanjane]

The marriage between William senior and Margaret Williams seemed to be in Jun q 1910

William Watsons siblings appear to be
Cyril b Sep q 1914-died before he was 1
Launcelot R Sep q 1916 both Neath

And just possibly Rosina M born Sep q 1910

A Lancelot R marries in Leeds in 1937 to Mary Stead. There is one child born the following year in Leeds.
Gwyneth- a good Welsh name. There are others to Watson and Stead in Yorkshire

1911 census brings this info. living in 6 Wern St Aberavon--as per WW's Birth Cert

William Watson 35 carpenter b N Glamorgan
Margaret 34 married 15 years 5 children all living .Born Briton Ferry
Mary Elizabeth 12 scholar born Neath
Bertie 14 engine cleaner ditto
Diana 8
Trevor 6
Rosina 4--all these born Morriston Glamorgan


I couldn't find the family in 1901 with elder 2 children.
Then I saw why.....
Looking at Freebmd. The older 2 don't turn up as Watson but possibly do as Williams born Neath.

I haven't looked for the 3 younger ones yet

I had another look at passengers lists

I remembered a Policeman-William Watson- in and out of Hong Kong-- born 1911 with wife Doris . Sadly she is Doris Jane not M.[as per the Williams marriage in 1934]

Well I found them again going out sometime after WW2-seemed perfect for him having been there in 1930's.

But then I found them returning from HK in Nov 1945. Had they been interned by the Japanese? Or gone out for interviews?

They travelled together but gave a Scottish address for him and a Cardiff one for her. She was a Nursing Sister.

So vaguely possible except that her 2nd name is wrong.

All for now

Sue

[susanjane]

Thanks Sue, am I right in saying there is not definite link between the 1934 marriage and our man?

Yes there is nothing conclusive. Does the RWF entry give any next of kin? and/or an address ?

Also his height? I see that the 1st Engineer was 5ft 8ins [that Ivor found]

All the children in 1911 seem to be Williams not Watson --by checking on Births.
Sue

[ivor43]

Hi All.
Sorry for my last,deleted post, right info wrong conclusion.(possibly age related Hmmmm)
Right.
as you correctly identified W Watson (post 139) 1st Engineer on the Fort Albany. but my 2nd W Watson (post 141) was a passenger on the Leerdam which was a passenger liner of the Holland America line. which both Pre and Post War sailed between Rotterdam and New York calling at Southampton. I do not know about wartime voyages yet, but i imagine she was operating as a troop ship, between US and UK.

ivor

[ap1]

Yes there is nothing conclusive. Does the RWF entry give any next of kin? and/or an address ?

Also his height? I see that the 1st Engineer was 5ft 8ins [that Ivor found]

No NOK or address Sue. Regarding the height. I think he's quite tall, looking at the photos, certainly in excess off 5'8.