Private James (Jim) Watson

Jim Watson was born in 1893 in Newton, Cambuslang, the eldest child of Alexander (Alex) Watson and his wife Janet Scott. The couple were married in Cambuslang in 1893 and eventually had 8 children.

The 1901 census shows the couple living at Minshall, Blantyre with James, Elizabeth, Agnes, Janet. By the time the 1911 census came round the family had moved to Bellshill and had added to the family with Nettie, Alexandrina, Maggie and Kate. It also showed that by this time, the couple had been married 19 years and had 9 children but lost two, which would have been Elizabeth and Janet. At this time, James was employed as a colliery Pithead Worker in the mining industry, possibly along with his father.

James later signed up to the war effort by joining the Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) 15th battalion as a Private, under service number 18467, enlisting in Hamilton. I can only surmise that Jim was sent home from the front before hostilities ended as he passed away on the 9th December 1918 aged 25 years.

He would have been buried in Blantyre Cemetery as his parents lived there at the time of his enlistment and quite possibly he resided in the town prior to enlisting and his subsequent death. It is unknown at this time whether he was married or engaged.

Thank you again to Elizabeth Grieve for giving us an insight into these brave men, who are remembered here on Blantyre Project, via Elizabeth’s efforts.