Watson, John Douglas
Rank: Machine Gun Sergeant
Regiment: 9th Battalion Gordon Highlanders
Biography: Son of Rev. John Watson. Born Banchory-Devenick, 3 October 1885; educated Kelso High School from which he passed as Dux to Edinburgh University in 1904. During the summer session of 1906 he attended Arts classes at Aberdeen University. He graduated M.A. (Edin.), 1908 LL.B. (Edin.), 1910 and was admitted W.S., 1913. In 1914 he was assumed partner in the legal firm of Messrs. Laing & Steedman, Selkirk. In August 1914 he hastened to Aberdeen to join Kitchener's Army as a Private, and was at once promoted platoon Sergeant of a platoon of miners. He became so greatly attached to this platoon that he refused a commission. Later he was appointed Battalion Machine Gun Sergeant, and proceeded to France with the Battalion in June 1915. At Loos on 25 September 1915, after being twice wounded, he was last seen serving his gun in the face of the advancing enemy. He is missing and presumed killed on that date.
Date of Death: 25 September 1915
Burial Details: Name recorded on the Loos Memorial, Panel 115, Column 2.
Publication: Roll of Service, edited by Mabel Desborough Allardyce. Published 1921.
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