Campbell River Genealogy Society
~ LOST FAMILIES FOUND ~
ROBERT WATSON (aka BOOTH)
Service Personnel Information 1914–1918
| Attestation Paper | |
| Service/Regimental Number: | 761221 |
| Present Address: | Campbell River, Vancouver Island, British Columbia |
| Birthplace: | Newcastle-on-Tyne England |
| Date of Birth: | 6 April 1884 |
| Next of Kin: | Charles Thulin, Willows Hotel, Campbell River, BC |
| Marital Status: | Not married |
| Trade or Calling: | Blacksmith |
| Previous Service in a Military Force: | No |
| Date of Enlistment: | 19 April 1916 |
| City and Province of Enlistment: | New Westminster, British Columbia |
| Digitized Personnel Record | Library and Archives Record Link |
| Description on Enlistment | |
| Height: | 5 ft 5 ins |
| Chest: | 38 ins |
| Complexion: | Dark |
| Colour of Eyes: | Hazel |
| Colour of Hair: | Dark |
| Distinctive Marks: | 3 tattoos right arm – 1 Ally Sloper, 1 Chinese woman, 1 Cross Heart and Dagger |
| Religion: | Church of England |
| Considered Fit for Duty by: | A. G. McQuarrie, Medical Officer |
Military Service Record 1914–1918
| Force: | Army, Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force |
| Division (battalion or company): | 102nd (Comox-Atlin) Battalion |
| Unit: | 121st Overseas Field Battalion |
| Rank: | Private |
| Honours and Awards: | |
| Photograph: | Not currently available |
| Date of Death: | 17 April 1917 |
| Age (at death): | 33 |
| Country of Burial: | France |
| Cemetery: | Givenchy Road Canadian Cemetery.
The Givenchy Road Canadian Cemetery at Neuville-St Vaast is a small cemetery situated in the compound of the Vimy Memorial Park which contains the Vimy Memorial. |
| Grave Reference: | XI A 22 Image here |
| Location: | Neuville-St. Vaast (1.A.24) |
| Book of Remembrance: | ROBERT BOOTH alias ROBERT WATSON’s name can be found on page 603 of the 1917 First World War Book of Remembrance. |
His Story
Robert Watson born Booth was born 6 April 1881 in Hartlepool, Durham, England. He was the son of George Booth and Barbara Gibb (m. 1871). They had six children, of which Robert was the youngest. In c1901 Robert was in Gilbraltar as crew member of the ship Minerva. He arrived in Canada on 6 Nov 1906 with the Royal Navy on the H.M.S. Shearwater stationed in Esquimalt. In his Royal Navy record, it was reported that he had been attached to the Shearwater on 24 Oct 1906; on 1 Dec 06 he had 21 days “H L” (holiday leave) from which he returned to Shearwater on 23 Dec; and on 7 Mar 07 he had “Run”. In spite of that his character was recorded as “Very Good”. At the time, Shearwater was circumnavigating Vancouver Island. Perhaps he “disappeared” into the north as in c1911 he was in Forward Harbour (on the mainland north of Hardwicke Island) working as a logger under the name Robert Watson.
On 22 Oct 1915 Robert attested for the first time as Robert Watson in Vancouver, a logger, born 1884, living in Campbell River. He listed Charles Thulin of the Willows (“friend”) as his nest of kin. He was with the 72nd Seaforth Highlanders until he was discharged on 15 April 1916 for misconduct (Drunkenness). Robert attested again on 19 April 1916 in New Westminster. He gave the same information except that his occupation was blacksmith. This time he was posted to the 121st O/S Bn. The battalion sailed on the Empress of Britain on 14 Aug 1916. In France he was transferred to the 102nd Battalion. Robert died on 9 Apr 1917 in fierce fighting at Vimy Ridge during which 113 soldiers from the battalion were killed on the day. In the attack 3,600 Canadians died.
He is buried in Givinchy Road Canadian Cemetery, Neuville-St. Vaast, France
VAC – Memorial Plaque and Scroll were issued to his father in 1921. By that time his correct surname was known.
Additional family information: After Barbara Booth died in 1892, George remarried and had another family of four children. When Robert wrote his Will in Oct 1916, he left his estate to Charles Thulin.