Norman Forrester WATSON

Regimental number9/96
Date of birth1 September 1888
Place of birthPort Chalmers
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationClerk
AddressPort Chalmers
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation26
Height5' 5.5"
Weight123 lbs
Next of kinFather, John Watson, Port Chalmers
Previous military serviceServed for 4 years in Naval Forces, Port Chalmers; not serving in any military unit at time of NZEF enlistment.
Enlistment date12 August 1914
Place of enlistmentDunedin
Rank on embarkationTrooper
Enlistment statusVolunteer
Unit nameNew Zealand Expeditionary Force, Main Body, Otago Mounted Rifles Regiment
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Wellington on 16 October 1914
Three squadrons of the Otago Mounted Rifles Regiment left New Zealand on board 'Hawke's Bay', and one squadron on board 'Verdala'. From the Nominal Roll it is not possible to determine on which ship an individual embarked.
Final rank2nd Lieutenant
Final unit1st Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment
FateKilled in Action 12 October 1917
Age at death from cemetery records30
Place of burialNo known grave
Commemoration detailsTyne Cot Memorial (New Zealand Apse, Panel 3), Belgium
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records		Parents: John and Helen Watson, 'Bellevue', Port Chalmers, Dunedin
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Wounded in action; admitted to Military Hospital, Whitchurch, Cardiff, Wales, 23 September 1915.

Appointed Temporary Corporal, 4 March 1916.

Transferred to Pioneer Bn, 14 March 1916.

Appointed Company Bomber (rank of Corporal), 30 July 1916.

Promoted Sergeant, 11 November 1916.

Nominated by GOC NZEF for a commission in the Infantry, 30 April 1917.

Appointed 2nd Lieutenant supernumerary to establishment, 2 June 1917.

Proceeded overseas to France, 12 July 1917.

Killed in action, 12 October 1917.

War service: 3 years 62 days (of which 1158 days were abroad)

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsNominal Roll Vol. 1: Otago Mounted Rifles/Main Body
SourcesArchives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 22024360, File 22016858