M2/132158, Private, Harry Alexander WATTS
Aged 27
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Born in Newmarket in Q1-1892 [Newmarket 3b:519] to John (then a jockey) and Annie WATTS (née LANCASTER) of High Street, Newmarket.
His mother died in 1900. 1901 census...Harry[9] was at High Street, Newmarket with his widower father John ('Jack') born Stockbridge, Hants who had become the King's trainer, his brothers John [13],and Thomas [7] and sister Doris [10]. All the children were born in Newmarket. 1911 census...Harry Alexander [19] was lodging with Arthur and Ellen Crane at Stanley Villa, Rous Road, Newmarket. His father re-married in 1901 to Lutetia Annie HAMMOND, daughter of Francis Hammond of Portland House, Newmarket. He died in Esher 1902. Harry was half brother to Claude WATTS who died during WW2. see here |
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Reported in the Auckland Star on 23rd March 1918: "Harry Watts, the lightweight jockey, formerly attached to Mr Leopold de Rothschild's stable had been killed on the Wester Front.
He was killed by a shell while taking up ammunition to the front line."
He enlisted in London. Records vary as to whether Harry died of wounds. "Soldiers Died" says he died, his medal card says "Killed in Action" . Wherever it was, 3 other A.S.C.men are buried with him in Ypres Reservoir Cemetery. |
© Roy Beardsworth
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details