2nd Lieutenant Clifford Thomas Watson
| Date of Birth | c. 1897 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 20 |
| Date of Death | 3 December 1917 |
| Service Number | |
| Military Service | 7th Battalion London Regiment |
| Merton Address | 3 Elm Grove, Wimbledon |
| Local Memorial | Rutlish School, Merton |
Additional Information
Clifford was born in Wimbledon in 1897 to Arthur Henry and Mary Watson. He was the second youngest of six children, with older siblings Hilda, Clarice, Arthur, and Philip, and younger sister Mary. In 1901, the family was living at 36 Griffiths Road, but had moved to a nine room house at 3 Elm Grove, Wimbledon.
Clifford’s father was a gun maker, who owned Watson Brothers along with his brother Thomas, having inherited the business from their father. They apparently specialised in small bore guns. Clifford’s older brothers both joined the family business, becoming assistant gun makers, and it seems likely that Clifford would have done the same, but as he was only 14 at the time of the 1911 census, he was still attending Rutlish School. The family seems to have been reasonably prosperous, as they were able to employ a servant.
Clifford was a 2nd Lieutenant in the 7th London Regiment, and died from wounds on 3 December 1917. He is buried in Grevillers British Cemetery, near Bapaume.