Alfred Watson (1879 - 1962)

Born 1879 in Berrima, New South Wales, Australia

Ancestors

Husband of Ethel (Williams) Watson — married 27 Sep 1905 in Kangaroo Valley, New South Wales, Australia

Died 23 Aug 1962 at about age 83 in Rockdale, New South Wales, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Kathleen Cobcroft [send private message]

Biography

Fred Watson is an Anzac who served in the Boer War.

Fred served in the Boer War with the Berry Lancers.^[2] He left Sydney on the 16th of January, 1900,^[3] and returned home in January, 1901.^[4] A social was held in his honour in Kangaroo Valley, and he was presented with an engraved gold pendant.^[5] In later years his grandchildren "loved to look at his lance in the store shed off the laundry. It was a lump of a branch that was fairly straight, very disappointing actually."^[6]

Alfred married Ethel Williams at the Kangaroo Valley Church of Good Shepherd on the 27th of September 1905.^[7][8][9] He was then the proprietor of the Kangaroo Valley Times newspaper.

He passed away in 1962 and his death was registered in Rockdale, NSW.^[10][11][12]

Sources

1. ↑ NSW BDM: Birth: 9892/1879 WATSON ALFRED, father GEORGE HENRY, mother ANN JANE, BERRIMA
2. ↑ SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1901. (1901, January 19). The Shoalhaven News and South Coast Districts Advertiser (NSW : 1891 - 1937), p. 2. Retrieved December 22, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article135736058
3. ↑ Kangaroo Valley. (1900, February 24). The Shoalhaven News and South Coast Districts Advertiser (NSW : 1891 - 1937), p. 3. Retrieved December 22, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article135733337
   Amongst the Lancers who left Sydney for the seat of war on the 16th inst, is Trooper A. ("Fred") Watson, son of Mr, G. H. Watson, of Barrengarry. Possessed of plenty of grit, a good horseman, and thoroughly used to the bush, "Fred" should make a good name for himself. The K. Valley "Times" hopes that he will be fortunate enough to be placed under Lieutenant S. F. Osborne's command, and that our Valley boys will go unscathed and earn distinction together.
4. ↑ BERRY. (1901, January 19). South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus (NSW : 1900 - 1954), p. 14. Retrieved December 22, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article143028495
5. ↑ KANGAROO VALLEY (1901, January 23). The Shoalhaven Telegraph (NSW : 1881 - 1937), p. 13. Retrieved December 22, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123573728
   At the National Hall, Kangaroo Valley, on Wednesday evening last, Trooper Fred. Watson, one of the returned Lancers, was entertained at a welcome-home social. There was a large attendance, fully 300 persons being present to do honor to the brave young man who, as the only representative of Kangaroo Valley at the seat of war in South Africa, had brought credit upon himself and his native place. Mr Henry Joyce presided, and delivered a speech complimentary to the guest of the evening. Eulogistic speeches were also made by Rev. D. McLennan (Berry), Rev, J. F. Dillon, and Mr J. Camp bell, who with Mr George Watson (father of Trooper Fred) gave some interesting reminiscences of volunteering as far back as fifty years ago. Trooper Watson was presented with a gold pendant, suitably inscribed, from end on behalf of the Valley residents. He thanked the company for the great honor done him by that gathering, and for their handsome gift. He gave a few particulars of his experiences in the battle field, and in the course of his remarks said that as to attention paid to the troops in general, it was as good as any one could reasonably expect under the circumstances. Trooper Watson had a flattering reception.
6. ↑ Garth Hopkins, email correspondence 20 Dec 2020.
7. ↑ NSW BDM: Marriage 6462/1905 WATSON ALFRED, WILLIAMS ETHEL, BERRY
8. ↑ Ancestry.com. Sydney, Australia, Anglican Parish Registers, 1814-2011.
   Transcript: No. 79. 27th September, 1905, Kangaroo Valley. Alfred Watson, Bachelor, birthplace: Barrengarry, profession: Editor, age: 24, residence: Kangaroo Valley, parents: George Henry Watson, Farmer, Ann Jane Gay.
   Ethel Williams, Spinster, birthplace: Tangmangaroo, Home Duties, age: 21, residence: Barrengarry, parents: Edgar George Williams, School Teacher, Agnes Orr. Married in the Church of the Good Shepherd, according to the Rites of the Ch. of England. Witnesses: Christie Watson, Muriel Williams.
9. ↑ Wedding Bells. (1905, October 11). The Shoalhaven Telegraph (NSW : 1881 - 1937), p. 1. Retrieved May 11, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127419014
   The marriage of Miss Ethel Williams, eldest daughter of Mr E. G. Williams, Public school, Barrengarry, to Mr Alfred, Watson, proprietor of the Kangaroo Valley Times, and son of Mr G. H. Watson, Barrengarry, was celebrated at the Church, of the Good Shepherd, Kangaroo Valley, on Wednesday. 27th September, by the Rev. F. J. Dillon, Rector, in the presence of a very large number of residents, the Church being crowded. The bride, who entered the Church with her father, to the strains of 'The Voice that Breathed o'er Eden,' admirably rendered by the choir and Mrs F. Gallaugher (organist), was dressed in embroidered ivory silk voile, trimmed with silk cord applique and lace, corded silk sash, bridal veil and wreath of orange blossoms, and carried a bouquet of frezias, may, and maiden hair fern, and was given away by her father. Her sister, Muriel, attended as bridesmaid, and was dressed in cream embroidered voile, with crinoline hat trimmed with white roses, and wore a pretty gold brooch, the gift of the bridegroom. Mr C. Watson acted as best man. After the ceremony the happy couple were greeted with showers of confetti and congratulations, and left the Church to the music , of the ' Wedding March.' The breakfast was held at the school, Barrengarry, where about 30 of the immediate friends of the bride and groom joined in congratulations and good wishes. The usual toasts were honored and responded to, after which Mr and Mrs Watson left for Sydney to spend the honey moon. The bride's travelling dress was of embroidered crepoline, and hat to match. The wedding presents were numerous, costly, and. useful.
10. ↑ NSW BDM: Death 20731/1962 WATSON ALFRED, father GEORGE HENRY, mother ANN JANE, ROCKDALE
11. ↑ Ryerson Index. WATSON Alfred, Death notice, 23AUG1962, aged 83, late of Carlton, published Sydney Morning Herald 24AUG1962
12. ↑ Australia Cemetery Index, 1808-2007. Retrieved from Ancestry.com.au. Name: Alfred Watson, Age: 83, Birth Date: abt 1879, Death Date: 23 Aug 1962, Cemetery: Woronora Cemetery, Cemetery Location: Sutherland, New South Wales, Australia