Kenneth Robert WATSON

Regimental number2/1116
Date of birth17 December 1889
Place of birthNelson
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationCivil engineer
AddressPublic Works, Taumarunui
Marital statusSingle
Height5' 10"
Weight150 lbs
Next of kinFather, Robert Watson, Washington Road, Nelson
Previous military serviceDefence Cadets (1905-08); Volunteers (1908-10)
Enlistment date24 October 1916
Place of enlistmentTrentham
Rank on embarkationGunner
Enlistment statusVolunteer
Unit nameNew Zealand Expeditionary Force, 2nd Reinforcements, New Zealand Field Artillery
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Wellington on 14 December 1914
No 1 Field Artillery Brigade left New Zealand on board 'Willochra'; No 4 Howitzer Battery on board 'Knight of the Garter'. It is not possible from the Nominal Roll to determine on which ship an individual embarked.
Final rank2nd Lieutenant
Final unit15th Howitzer Battery, New Zealand Field Artillery
FateDied of wounds 5 October 1916
Age at death from cemetery records24
Place of burialLongeuval Road Cemetery (Row A, Grave No 14), France
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Embarked Alexandria with unit to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (Gallipoli Campaign), 12 April 1915.

Evacuated to hospital, Anzac, 21 August 1915; admitted to HS 'Canada', Mudros, 24 August 1915; transferred to No.1 Southern General Hospital, Birmingham, 9 September 1915; discharged to furlough, 11 October 1915; marched into depot, 25 October 1915.

Proceeded overseas to the Dardanelles, 19 November 1915.

Rejoined unit, Anzac, 8 December 1915.

Marched into Zeitoun Camp, Egypt, 22 December 1915.

Appointed Second Lieutenant, 1 March 1916.

Attached to School of Instruction, Cairo, 4 March 1916.

Embarked Alexandria with unit to join the British Expeditionary Force, France, 5 April 1916.

Wounded in action, 5 October 1916; admitted to No.36 Field Ambulance, 5 October 1915.

Died of wounds, No.36 Field Ambulance, 5 October 1915.

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsNominal Roll Vol. 1: Field Artillery/Second
SourcesArchives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 7881113
Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 22016841

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