ARTHUR DANIEL WATSON
Born: 1864, Boxford, Suffolk.
Died: 14th November 1901; age: 37; Died of Disease at Krugersdorp, Gauteng, South Africa.
Occupation: Labourer.
Enlistment Date: 6th August 1883.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 647.
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 1st Battalion, South Africa Field Force.
Clasps Awarded: Cape Colony, Orange Free State & Transvaal + South Africa 1901 medal.
CENSUS
1871 Tinker Street, Ramsey, Essex.
Arthur was 7 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
James Watson, 30, a Carpenter, born Boxford.
Isabella Watson (nee Josling), 34, born Boxford.
James Watson, 10, born Boxford.
Ann Maria Watson, 2 months, born Boxford.
1881 5 Back – 82, Albion Street, Ipswich.
Arthur was 17 years old, a Bricklayer’s Labourer. He was living with his parents & sister.
James, 40, an Engine Fitter.
Isabella, 45.
Ann, 9.
On the 11th March 1888, at the Register Office, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, 21 year old, Arthur, a Private for the 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, of the Barracks, Risbygate, Bury St. Edmunds, married 19 year old, Alice Pollard, born January 1869, Walsham le Willows, Suffolk – daughter of William Pollard, an agricultural labourer and Rosena Pollard (nee Farrow), of 3, Mustow Street, Bury St. Edmunds.
They had 1 daughter:
Ivy Isabella Alice Watson, born September 1896, Madras, India – baptised: 7th October 1897, Wellington, Madras, India.
Soldiers’ Effects to Alice Watson – widow.
One of the notable Battles with a large loss of Suffolk life was the “Battle of Suffolk hill” at Colesberg, Northern Cape 5th- 6th January 1900. The hill was originally called Red or Grassy Hill. The Suffolk regiment was ordered to make a night attack on a Boer position on the heights, four companies, 354 of all ranks, set out at midnight under the command of Col. Watson. The Suffolks were met by a storm of bullets. The Colonel was amongst the first to fall, and the party later retired with 11 officers and 150+ men killed, wounded or captured.
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