Tag Archives: John Herbert Watts

John Herbert WATTS

Per his military service record (regimental no. 2260), John Herbert Watts was born at Dunedoo, N.S.W. He gave his age as 18 years, his marital status as single, and his occupation as Casual linesman. His description on his medical was height 5 feet 7 ½ inches tall, weight 137lbs., with a medium complexion, brown eyes, and light brown hair. His religious denomination was Methodist. He joined the Coo-ee March at Dubbo. He completed his medical on the 4^th October 1915 at Dubbo, and was attested on the 14^th October 1915 at Dubbo. He claimed to have no previous military service.

After completing the march he went to Liverpool Camp. He was appointed as 15^th reinforcement for the 1^st Light Horse Regiment at Liverpool on 7^th February 1916.

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was Lewis Street, Mudgee, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his father, Nathaniel Watts, Lewis Street, Mudgee, N.S.W.

Trooper Watts departed Sydney on the HMAT A25 Armadale on the 21^st March 1916. He arrived in Egypt on the 24^th April 1916.

On the 1^st May 1916 he was transferred to the 4^th Pioneer Battalion at Serapeum.

On the 4^th June 1916 he embarked on the transport Scotian at Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force in France. He disembarked in Marseilles on 11^th June 1916.

Private Watts was appointed Driver on 2^nd December 1916.

Per his service record, Driver Watts name was mentioned in Sir D. Haig’s despatch on the 7^th April 1918, as deserving of special mention for conspicuous services rendered, which was promulgated in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No. 165, 24^th October 1918. The recommendation was ‘for continuous good service from 23^rd September, 1917 to 25^th February, 1918’.

Following being admitted to hospital sick with pyrexia on the 4^th April 1918, Driver Watts was evacuated to England with Trench Fever on 16^th April 1918, where he was admitted to Duston War Hospital in Northampton. On 30^th April 1918 he was transferred to 1^st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield. He was granted leave from 2^nd May 1918 to 16^th May 1918. Driver Watts returned from furlough on 17^th May 1918 and marched into No. 4 Command Depot, Hurdcott. From the 8^th to the 13^th August he was admitted to the Camp Isolation Hospital at Hurdcott with Scabies.

Driver Watts returned to France on 22^nd September 1918. He was admitted to hospital on 21^st November 1918, and transferred to England on 9th January 1919, and admitted to the 1^st Australian Dermatological Hospital at Bulford on 10^th January 1919.

Driver Watts departed England on 31^st March 1919 on the HT Khyber to return to Australia, and disembarked in Sydney on 14^th May 1919.

He was discharged on 16^th May 1919.