Watson, Frank McEwan (1894 - 1917)

Second Lieutenant, 55th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)

Buried at Arras Memorial

Commemorated at Hillhead High School

Lieutenant Frank McEwan Watson was the eldest son of John Watson, 6 Ardgowan Terrace, Sandyford. He is remembered at School as a tall, finely developed boy, of pleasant manners and bright disposition. He was fond of all manner of games, but did not neglect his work, and showed special aptitude for mathematics.

On leaving School he entered the service of Nobels, Limited, and had just completed his apprenticeship in their statistical department when he was mobilised. Like many more of our boys, he was an active member of the 6th H.L.I., and was called up on the first day of the war. He proceeded with his regiment to Gallipoli, and took part in the sanguinary struggle for Achi Baba, where so many of our old boys laid down their lives.

Struck down with dysentery, he was for a time in hospital at Malta, and later was invalided home. In February, 1917, he received his commission in the Machine Gun Corps, and crossed to France soon after. He came through some severe fighting round Bullecourt, for whose possession some of the most memorable struggles of the war took place. On the 3rd May, 1917, he took out three sections of his men on a reconnoitring expedition, but failed to return.

Every effort was made to learn his fate, his brother Douglas, who was in the same area, joining in the search, but all to no purpose, and he was eventually posted "missing, presumably killed."

In war, as in peace, his bright and buoyant nature gained him many friends, who greatly deplore his loss.