Private Robert Watson

Ancestor Details

Name of Ancestor: Robert Watson

Ancestor's date of birth: 01/08/1875

Ancestor's date of death: 27/11/1949

Cause of Death: Mine related

Service and Life Before the Boer War: Had two years experience with cadets. Worked as a farrier and a miner.

Service Number: 327

Colony or State of enlistment: TAS, Place of Enlistment: Waratah

Unit: 2^nd Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen

Rank attained in Boer War: PTE, Date Effective: 1901

Highest Rank attained (if served after war): CPL, Date Effective: 22/02/1916

Murray Page: 567

Contingent: Fourth Tasmanian

Ship: Chicago, Date of Sailing: 27/03/1901

Memorial details: Detail not provided

Awards/Decorations/Commendations: Queen's South Africa Medal with Cape Colony, SA 1901 and SA 1902 clasps. 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Personal Characteristics: Heright 166 cm, weight 63 kg.

Reasons to go and fight: Detail not provided.

Details of service in war: May 1901 - May 1902 in Cape Colony.

Service and life after the Boer War: Worked as a miner in Tasmania, SA and NSW. By 1915 he was a widower with at least one son John Claude Finlay. Involved with AMU while living and working Broken Hill. Enlisted in 1^st World War in Melbourne as Robert Watson but did not turn up and re enlisted couple of months later at Broken Hill in his correct name of Robert FINLAY. Joined the AIF, 11^th Light Horse on 23 November 1914. Served in Egypt and Palestine. Promoted corporal (shoeing smith) 22 February 1916. Had medical problems. Returned to Australia 26 August 1917. President of RSL at Moota in South Australia for many years especially during 2^nd World War.

Descendant Details

Name of Descendant: Alan Robert Beardwood, BELLERIVE TAS
Relationship to Ancestor: Grandson

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