2nd Lieut Arthur Paton Watson

• Age: 27
• From: Waterloo, Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• D.O.W Friday 13th October 1916
• Commemorated at: Heilly Station Cem, Mericourt
  Panel Ref: V.A.3

Arthur Paton Watson was born in Waterloo on 12th February 1889, the son of Henry Watson and his wife Helen Alice (nee Paton). His father was born in Gisburn, Yorkshire and his mother was born in Logie Buchan, Aberdeen, Scotland in 1859. His parents married in 1887 at Logie Buchan. 

The 1891 Census finds the family living at 52 Waterloo Road, Litherland. Arthur is 2 years of age and lives with his parents and younger sister. His father, Henry, is 41 years of age and is described as a window glass merchant, whilst his mother Helen is 31 years of age. His younger sister, Amy, is one year old and was born in 1890 at Waterloo. Also present is a visitor Thomas Watson noted as brother and a retired ironmonger aged 42.

The 1901 Census shows the family are living at 17 Alexandra Road, Waterloo. Arthur is a 12 yer old scholar living with his parents and two sisters. His father is now 51 years of age and is still a window glass merchant, whilst his mother is 41. His sisters are listed as; Amy aged 11 and Doris M. aged 9. They have a visitor, Frederick William Paton shown as a visitor, he is a South African miner born in Scotland. Also present is a servant.

His father died in the June quarter of 1906, aged 56.

By 1911 the family are still living at 17 Alexandra Road, his mother Helen is shown as a widow, she is described as being a Director of a Private Limited Company, which is presumably her late husbands business.  She advises that she was married for 23 years and had three children. Arthur is now 22 years of age and is described as a clerk in the glass trade. His sisters are shown as Amy aged 21 and Doris Mary aged 19. The family again employ a servant. 

Arthur enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on 01st September 1914 joining the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 15245. He gave his age as 25 years and 200 days and his occupation as a glass merchant. He was described as 5' 10 and three quarter inches, weighed 140lbs with a 35 inch chest. He had a dark complexion with grey eyes and fair hair. He stated his religion as Church of England. 

He was released to Inns of Court OTC on 31st August 1915. He subsequently returned to the 17th Battalion as Second Lieutenant.

Arthur was fatally wounded during the attack on 12th October 1916:          

During the attack Watson, recently appointed Company Commander, after he had made his own way back to the Medical Aid Post, where he was treated and then evacuated to No.36 Casualty Clearing Station, at Mericourt L’Abbe. Despite hopes that he might recover it was discovered that his wounds were too serious and growing progressively weaker, he lost consciousness and died in the evening of the following day, 13th October, aged 27.

In all, in the attack at Flers, ninety four officers and men were killed, and about two hundred and thirty officers and men were wounded or missing.

His death was notified in the Liverpool Echo on 18th October 1916:

DIED FROM WOUNDS

WATSON - October 13, died of wounds, aged 27 years, Arthur Paton (Second Lieutenant K.L.R.) only son of the late Henry Watson and Mrs Watson, Alexandra Road, Waterloo  

It was also reported in the Liverpool Echo on 20th October 1916 under the header:

Probate was granted at Liverpool on 06th January 1917 as follows:

Watson Arthur Paton of Alexandra -road, Waterloo near Liverpool second lieutenant 17th K.L.R. died 13 October 1916 in France. Administration (with Will) Liverpool 6 January to Helen Alice Watson widow. Effects £4,406 15s 6d.   

His mother died on 05th July 1923, aged 61, probate was granted on 10th August 1923 at Liverpool to her daughter Doris May Watson. Effects £31,699 15s 8d.

Arthur is also commemorated on the following Memorials:

Waterloo Football Club, Blundellsands, Crosby,

Christ Church, Waterloo,

Memorial photograph of the fallen at Sedburgh School and Memorial at Sedburgh School Cloisters.

The extract below was taken from Liverpool's Scroll of Fame and offers further insight into Arthur's character:

Out on the blood-stained battlefields of France and Belgium a man was recognised as he really was. Manifold dangers and heavy responsibilities for the care and protection over those whom he was placed in charge, frequently involving risks for ones' personal safety, called forth all that was best in an officer, traits which perhaps were never revealed to such a marked degree under the calmer conditions of life at home.

Second-Lieutenant Arthur Paton Watson was one of those who revealed himself as a man of sterling courage and noble disposition. He died, as he had fought, with a pluck that was serene and inspiring, and comrades who had become hardened to the horrors of war were moved by his heroic example.
Watson's death occurred in one of the later battles on the Somme. Two lines of German trenches had to be attacked by his Company, of which he had been given command only a few days before, and in which he had an exceptional pride. Shortly after our troops had emerged into the open they were met by a very heavy machine-gun fire, and one of the bullets wounded the leader in the abdomen severely. Notwithstanding the gravity of his injury, Watson refused to be carried back, and himself walked back to the aid-post. Such were his spirits that he strove to cheer his fellows in adversity, and some hopes were entertained that, with his unconquerable optimism and strong constitution, he would recover in hospital. But it was soon found that he was beyond help. Everything was done for him that expert surgery and devoted nursing could do, but he grew gradually weaker, and the same evening he passed peacefully away. He lies in Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt, l'Abbe.

Seven and twenty years of age, this dauntless soldier was the only son of Mr. Henry Watson and Mrs. Watson, of Artrochie, Alexandra Road, Waterloo. Sedburgh and Folkestone were the scenes of his education, and on the death of his father he left school in order to continue the business of Messrs: Williams & Watson Ltd, of Victoria Street, Liverpool. In this firm of glass merchants he became joint Managing Director, and he revealed despite his years, uncommon industry and business capacity. 

When the war broke out he saw immediately where his duty lay. It was not in his nature to waver or to listen to self interest in any perilous emergency. Like many of his personal friends, he joined the 17th K.L.R. as a private within a month of the opening of hostilities, and he was thus one the original volunteers of the Liverpool "Pals." Even in these superb battalions, in which every ranker was a man of education and intelligence, his gifts of leadership were speedily displayed. He was accordingly selected for a commission, and after a course at Berkhamstead he was gazetted an officer in his old unit, the 17th Liverpools. July,1916, the month when he went on active service, saw the opening of the mighty offensive on the Somme, and the memories of that great chain of battles are still recalled with mournful pride on Merseyside. The "Pals" indeed, exhibited a most glorious valour, and on those historic fields the city lost many sons of exceptional promise. Lieut. Watson received his fatal wound on October 12th, 1916. He had not been long in the front line position, but he had done excellent work, and his men knew that they followed a cool and fearless officer. 

Colonel Peck wrote of him as a splendid officer and a gallant man. "Nothing stopped him," he declared in sending to his widowed mother a touching letter of sympathy. " He never appeared depressed, but was always cheerful, whatever the circumstances. He is a great loss to us." Similarly, a brother officer has paid tribute to his coolness in action, and his invariable cheerfulness when out of the line" whilst another has truly recorded that "He died like a gallant English gentleman." Watson did, indeed show the uncomplaining fortitude of an Englishman, and his is one of so may fine lives that were offered, without reservation, to restore peace and concord to Europe. 
 
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again
 They sit no more at familiar tables at home
 They have no lot in our labour of the day time
 They sleep beyond England's foam   

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