Harriet Watson and her son Fred

It seems right that the first photo in this new blog is of Harriet Watson (nee Lee)
She was Edith Nicoll's mum and Sheila Crosland's grannny ,which makes her Edwina ,Charles and Victoria's Great grandmother. Harriet died in 1932
Beside her is a photo of Fred Watson her son who had emigrated to Canada but came back to fight in the 1st World War in a Canadian uniform and who was killed at Ypres in 1916 ,I think near Sanctuary wood. Fred is buried at Zillebecke cemetry near Ypres (unusually in a church graveyard)
Fred's brother Stanley Lee Watson was killed at Loos, his name is inscribed next to The late Queen mothers brother at a cemetery there
Both Fred and Stans names are remembered in a book at The Scottish National war memorial in Edinburgh
Freds grave at Zillebecke cemetery The photo is old and not from when mum and I visitied in 1999 or 2000 and thus indicates the family had been out much earlier to visit Fred's grave. I can only guess 1930's or 1950's
More details of Freds service and death here
"10th June 1916

Grave in Zillebeke Churchyard of Lieutenant Frederick Johnston Watson 43rd Battalion Canadian Infantry (Cameron Highlanders of Canada) Canadian Expeditionary Force, killed in action 10th June 1916 aged 27 years. The 43rd Battalion disembarked in England on the 9th June 1915, landing in France 20th February 1916 and served in 9th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Division until the Armistice.
 Son of Edwin Alexander and Harriet Elliot Lee Watson.  Born Arbroath on the 24th June 1888.

On the 10th June 1916 the 43rd Battalion came forward to relieve the 52nd Battalion with Battalion H.Q. at Dormy House.  This is a position about 500 yards East of Zillebeke  with Maple Copse a further 500 yards away to the East.  There was heavy artillery fire by both the enemy and the Canadian artillery all evening and there were 33 casualties, 4 being killed in action and one of these was Lieutenant Frederick Johnston Watson.  His body was recovered and taken back to Zillebeke Churchyard for burial in the Churchyard."

Stan Watson fought in The Black Watch and was killed at Loos his name is recorded here along with many thousands of others
Both brothers names are also on the Dundee University memorial here



Year after year the grass,
Year after year the grain,
But the dead who sleep in the weary graves
They never return again.

Jospeh Lee war poet and member of Lee family (who were related to The Watsons) who fought with Black Watch in World war 1