George Watterson was the son of William John and Sarah Watterson. He was born on 8th March 1896 in Aughrim, Ballyronan, Magherafelt. The large family lived in Aughrim. His father was a farm labourer. George, like his older brother Marshall, was employed as a cloth starcher. Private George Watterson was a Signaller serving with the 10th Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry. He was killed in action on Saturday 12th August 1916. He was only nineteen years of age, and had been at the front only a week or two. He was killed on the Saturday evening by a piece of shrapnel, death being instantaneous.
Further Information
George Watterson was the son of William John and Sarah Watterson. William Watterson married Sarah Kirkwood on 15th December 1876 in the district of Magherafelt.
George Watterson was born on 8th March 1896 in Aughrim, Ballyronan, Magherafelt. He was one of the 10-12 children.
Family: William John Watterson, Sarah Watterson, William J Watterson (born 1st June 1878), Robert Watterson (born 19th November 1880), Mary Watterson (born 4th January 1882), David Watterson (born 1st March 1883, died 8th March 1884), Rachel Watterson (born 15th November 1883), Thomas Watterson (born 17th May 1885), James Watterson (born 25th August 1887), Samuel Watterson (born 15th October 1890), Marshall Henry Watterson (born 29th July 1893), George Watterson (born 8th March 1896), Joseph Watterson (born 28th January 1899), Margaret J Watterson (born 9th September 1902).
The 1901 census lists George as age 4 living with the family at house 23 in Aughrim, Ballyronan, County Londonderry. The house was known as Cliftonville Cottage. His father was a farm labourer.
The 1911 census lists George as age 15 living with the family at house 29 in Aughrim, Ballyronan. George, like his older brother Marshall, was employed as a cloth starcher.
In late summer 1914, George travelled to Glasgow where he enlisted in the Highland Light Infantry, the same regiment that his older brother Marshall would join a few months later.
Private George Watterson was a Signaller serving with the 10th Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry. He was killed in action on Saturday 12th August 1916. He was only nineteen years of age, and had been at the front only a week or two.
Private Watterson was killed on the evening of Saturday 12th August by a piece of shrapnel, death being instantaneous.
Private George Watterson was buried the next day (Sunday) at noon. ‘Amid the booming of the guns, and with the sun shining in all its glory, we stood by his simple grave with uncovered heads while the chaplain read the burial service.’
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 26th August 1916:
WATTERSON – 12 August, killed in action. Signaller George Watterson, Highland Light Infantry, beloved son of William J and Mrs Watterson, Cliftonville Cottage, Aughrim, Castledawson, aged 19 years.
His warfare is over, his battle fought,
His victory won, though dearly bought;
His fresh young life we could not save.
He slumbers now in a soldier’s grave.
We loved him in life, he is dear to us still;
In grief we must bend to God’s holy will;
The trial was great, the loss heavy to bear,
The angels, our dear one, will tend you with care.
Deeply regretted by his father, mother, sisters and brother.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 26th August 1916:
The War Office has notified Mr and Mrs W J Watterson, Cliftonville Cottage, Aughrim, that their son, Signaller George Watterson, 10th Highland Light Infantry (H.L.I.), was killed in action on 12 August. He was only 19 years of age, and had been at the front only a week or two. The following sympathetic letter has been received by his mother from a comrade:-
‘Dear Mrs Watterson, You will know doubt have heard of the death of your noble son. Being one of four who laid our dear comrades to rest, I take the liberty of writing to you. George was killed on the evening of Saturday 12th August by a piece of shrapnel, death being instantaneous. Four of us laid him to rest the next day (Sunday) at noon. Amid the booming of the guns, and with the sun shining in all its glory, we stood by his simple grave with uncovered heads while the chaplain read the burial service. I enclose a lock of his hair which I cut off, for I thought you would like to have something. We put wire around the grave and put his steel helmet on the top. At the grave head we put a cross inscribed with his name etc. and the words: At rest, his troubles over, his victory won.’ Dear mother of our brave hero, accept the deepest sympathy of all his comrades. Yours sincerely, No 452, Signaller W Birnie.’
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 26th August 1916:
A brother (of Signaller George Watterson), Private Marshall Watterson, was reported missing after the Battle of Loos, and has not been heard from since.
Private Watterson’s grave was lost later in the war and he is now commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
George’s brother, Private Marshall Watterson, was serving with the 12th Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry when he was killed in action at Loos on Saturday 25th September 1915, a year before George.
Like his brother Marshall, George’s name appears in the Books of Remembrance at Edinburgh Castle and St. Columb’s Cathedral in Londonderry.
