Main CPGW Record
Surname: WATSON
Forename(s): George William Annakin
Place of Birth: Conistone, Yorkshire
Service No: ---
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment / Corps / Service: Royal Flying Corps
Battalion / Unit: 1st Aircraft Supply Depot
Division: ---
Age: 20
Date of Death: 1918-03-07
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: IV. G. 1.
CWGC Cemetery: WIMEREUX COMMUNAL CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: CONISTONE-WITH-KILNSEY, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
George William Annakin Watson (born 21 July 1897) was the son of James and Emily Mary Watson, née Annakin. James was born at Conistone and Emily at Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe, Yorkshire.
1901 Conistone, Yorkshire Census: George Wm. A. Watson, aged 3 years, born Conistone, son of James and Emily Mary Watson.
1911 Appleby, Westmorland Census: The Grammar School, Battlebarrow - George William Annakin Watson, Boarder, aged 13 years, born Conistone, Yorkshire.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: 3/Am George William Annakin Watson, 75171 & 2nd Lt. R.F.C. Theatre of War first served in: France. K. in A. 7.3.18. Correspondence: Mrs Watson (Mother) 1, Bainbridge Road, Headingley, Leeds, Yorks.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: 2/Lieut G.W.A. Watson, R.F.C. Date and Place of Death: 7.3.18. K. in A. To whom issued/Amount: Mother - Mrs Emily Mary Watson. £82 1s. 11d.
George is commemorated on Appleby Grammar School and Leeds University War Memorials.
A short biography of George is included in: ‘Swaledale & Wharfedale Remembered – Aspects of Dales’ life through peace and war’ by Keith Taylor (2006).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
WATSON, Second Lieutenant G.W.A., aged 20, R.F.A., son of the late Mr. James Watson, Coniston, and Mrs. Watson, Bainbridge Road, Headingley, killed in action March 7, 1918.
---
Click the thumbnail below to view a larger image.
Lieutenant George William Annakin WATSON
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Royal Flying Corps
View Additional Image(s)
Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Lieutenant George William Annakin Watson
Courtesy of Iain Potts
Wimereux Communal Cemetery
CWGC Headstone
Courtesy of Iain Potts
Appleby Grammar School War Memorial
Courtesy of Appleby Grammar School
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
15 March 1918
CRAVEN AND THE WAR – DALES OFFICER KILLED IN ACTION
We regret to record that Second-Lieutenant G. W. A. Watson, of the Royal Flying Corps, was killed in action on March 7th. He was the eldest and only surviving son of the late Mr. James Watson, of Conistone-with-Kilnsey, a well-known and respected member of the Skipton Board of Guardians and Rural District Council. Second-Lieutenant Watson was only 20 years of age, and when war broke out was an engineering student at Leeds University. In his eagerness to serve he enlisted as a seaman in the Royal Naval Division, and afterwards he was sent to an important position in a Leeds shell factory. This did not content him, and he joined the Air Service, passing out of his novitiate period at the top of his class. He left for France only a little over a fortnight ago. Though so young, Lieut. Watson had a genius for invention, and a new fuse and a new engine are being made to his designs. We extend the sympathy of the Dales people to Mrs. Watson, who is residing at 1 Bainbridge Road, Headingley; Leeds, and who has lost husband and two sons in the short space of two years, her younger son dying last September under an operation. A telegram of sympathy has also been received from the Army Council.
29 March 1918
CONISTONE-WITH-KILNSEY
A Memorial Service will be held in St. Mary’s Church, Conistone, on Easter Sunday at 2-30 pm. in memory of George William Annakin Watson, Second Lieutenant Royal Flying Corps, who was killed in action on March 7th, 1918.
04 July 1919
PEACE SUPPLEMENT TO THE 'CRAVEN HERALD' – CRAVEN'S FALLEN OFFICERS
SECOND LIEUTENANT G. W. A. WATSON
Royal Flying Corps, eldest son of the late Mr. J. Watson, of Conistone-with-Kilnsey. Killed in action 7th March, 1918, aged 20 years. Enlisted as a Seaman in the R.N.D., joining the Air Force at a later date. Had a genius for invention and a new fuse and engine have been made to his designs.
---
Comment on this Soldier Record
You can leave comments on this soldier record. Please note all comments will be manually approved before they appear on the website.
No comments yet.