Lewis Edward Watson
Biography
Lewis Edward Watson was born on the 19th May 1892 and was baptised in Burton-on-Trent. His father also called Lewis was formerly a railway guard. The mother of Lewis was called Annie Maria Watson and she was about 23 when she had her son Lewis.
About four years after Lewis was born the father deserted the family and nothing was heard of him again. In 1903 Anna Marie began to look for help from such as the Children’s Society. At this time she had already been in the workhouse several times in the previous four years including continuously for the previous nine months. Her five children including Lewis also spent that time in the Union Workhouse, Burton on Trent. In addition to Lewis there was Annie, Maggie and Lily and Edwin both of whom were illegitimate. The Grandmother, Mrs. Holmes who lived locally was unable to help.
Lewis attended the Burton on Trent Board School and was standard four. He had also attended the Hornington Church Sunday School for the previous nine months. Lewis’s general health was good.
There was a possibility that Lewis could go to a Home in Bognor but in the end on October 23rd 1903 Lewis was admitted to St. Mark’s. The Guardians of the poor at Burton on Trent Union agreed to provide payment. They agreed to support Lewis at St. Mark’s for 5 shillings per week and to provide £2 10 shillings for an outfit.
It was agreed that Lewis could be considered for emigration to Canada which he was very keen to do. Lewis could read, write and figure well. He was a quiet well behaved and thoroughly honest boy, a good scholar and a willing worker especially working in the house and garden.
When the time came for him to emigrate the Burton Guardians gave permission as the mother’s character was said not to be good and her present address was unknown. On the 22nd June 1905 Lewis emigrated to Canada on the S.S. Victoria and went to the Society’s Gibbs Home in Sherbrooke, Quebec.
On the 21st November 1907 he settled with John McCaw a mining engineer. The family wanted him to be of good physical appearance and in fact provided most of his clothes in return for house and garden work.
On the 15th August 1908 he began employment as an apprentice machinist at the Sherbrooke Iron Works. His physical appearance was good and he was doing well. He began to save money and it was thought with his former employer’s assistance he would be able to complete the apprenticeship.
Service Record
Lewis Edward Watson joined the Canadian Army on the 8th February 1915. He was five feet and four inches in height and with a chest measurement of thirty four and half inches. He described himself as a structural steelworker and gave his next of kin as his sister who was living in Canada. His year of birth with the Canadian authorities is given a year later than British records.
Lewis was 110567 Trooper Lewis Watson of the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles (Quebec Regiment) Battalion.
How They Died
His unit along with other Canadian Units was in the Ypres Salient in June 1916 and were defending Mount Sorrel, Hill 62 during the period 2nd June to 14th June and Lewis lost his life on this first day, the 2nd June 1916.
Where They Rest
He has no known grave and his name is recorded on the Menin Gate as well as the Natland War Memorial.