The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2012 10:00 am Post subject:

Iain
Looking at the CWGC register, two other men from the 1/7th Gordons died that day, Pte. Charles Thomson and Pte. Nicol Glass Taylor. Like William Watt, Charles is listed on the Menin Gate Memorial, However Nicol is buried in the New Irish Farm Cemetery in Belgium.
The CWGC notes on this cemetery make interesting reading. It looks as though Nicol may have been re-interred here (possibly from Mirfield Cemetery)
It might give some clues as to the location of William when he was killed.
It does look as though it might have been a "random" event (shell-fire?) rather than a planned action.
Hope this helps a bit.
_________________
Ken

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1649 Location: Aberdeenshire

He is recorded as KIA, which would be how his death would be recorded if killed by shrapnel or HE in a trench or out of the line.

It is most likely that he was buried near where he fell but his grave was subsequently lost due to continuing military operations in the area. It follows that when / if his remains were recovered they could not be positively identified and so he is recorded on the Menin Gate as one of the Missing who fell before 16th August 1917. The vast majority interred in New Irish Farm Cemetery are Unknown. It is entirely possible that Wiliam Watt is one of the 3,267 buried there now, who are " Known unto God "
_________________
Jim

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

www.kinnethmont.co.uk

anne park · Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2012 6:35 pm Post subject: William Watt.....

My gt uncle was fighting with 7th Bn he came from Banchory and was springing mines in 11th June and was wounded.
Bn Diary said 1OR (other rank) wounded on 12th well as the diaries were not written up daily it's hard to remember exactly what happened and when.