• King George VI. - habsburg06
  • King George VI - habsburg06
  • Memorial Cross
  • Voluntary Service Medal
  • Service Medal
  • Defense Medal

Uncle Bill Watson's Medals

Watson Familty History

Thomas Watson (born 1798, died 1875) and Jane Collier (born 1807, died 1896) were raised in County Armagh, Ireland, and came to Canada in early 1843. Their son, from whom we are descended, was William Watson, who was sixteen when the family emigrated. William’s brother, Richard, and his sister, Rachel, were older.

The family first settled in Gananoque, and came later to Reading Corner, where they farmed on the fourteenth line, lot six. Richard Watson had a son named Nelson, who died young, and a daughter named Jane, who lived in the Okanogan Valley in British Columbia. Rachel married John Byrne of Hillsburg, who owned a carriage works. The Byrnes had sons: William and John, who remined bachelors.

William, married Sarah Jane Donaldson, a young widow (Mrs. J. Moody) with a daughter: Sarah Jane Moody, who married George Lindsay in 1886, having met him in Cookstown while visiting her father's family.

The Lindsays had one son, William Donaldson Lindsay., born August 11, 1886. They first lived in London, Ontario; then moved to Kendries, Idaho, and finally settled near Los Angeles, California.

My great grandfather, Thomas Watson, was next in this family.
He married Adeline East, and had two children, Hazel and Bill (my grandfather).

After Thomas came James Donaldson Watson (1872-1944). He married Belle McGee (1880-1958). They had two sons: James Ivan and Glen.

Next came Rachel (1874-1952). On March 6, 1895, she married John Scott at her home in Reading Garafraxa. They had four sons: Thomas Howard, Cecil, George and James

Next in the Watson Family was William George, (1880-1943). His wife was Mabel Patterson (1880). Their daughter was Sarlizabeth.

The youngest of the family was Letitia (1887-1931) In 1910, she married Russell Thurston. The children were: Donaldson, Donna, Robert Russell, Pauline, Roland, Bernice, Mel and Pat.

William Watson’s wife, Jane Collier Watson, was one of six sisters and one brother (Robert). Three of the Collier sisters were: Mrs. William Manley (Shelburne area), Mrs. Henderson and Mrs. Leeson. Two young Leeson boys were drowned one Christmas day when they broke through the ice while sliding and skating.

Comments and faves

  1. habsburg06 (59 months ago | reply)

    This is really impressive, Bill ! I recognise King George VI, father of Queen Elizabeth II.

  2. bill barber (59 months ago | reply)

    Thanks, Jorg. You're right.

  3. habsburg06 (59 months ago | reply)

    This is a lovely tribute to your Uncle Bill ! I am really impressed.

  4. bill barber (59 months ago | reply)

    Thanks, Jorg.

    I inherted all three of his names. He was William Douglas Watson. I am William Douglas Watson Barber; Hence my username: wdwbarber

  5. habsburg06 (59 months ago | reply)

    You are very welcome, Bill ! Your Uncle lives on ! And he is not forgotten !

  6. ★

    habsburg06 added this photo to their favorites. (59 months ago)

  7. bill barber (59 months ago | reply)

    That's the main thing.

  8. ★

    fantartsy JJ *MOSTLY OFF - HEALING!** added this photo to her favorites. (59 months ago)

  9. habsburg06 (59 months ago | reply)

    For this very reason, I publish here my father's photos, Bill ! They are not forgotten. They had their own voices and their own fates.

  10. bill barber (59 months ago | reply)

    Absolutely. And to think that these men fought on opposite sides. Let's not let this happen again.

    Bill would likely have been a pharmacist. He had been apprenticing. I have his pharmacological text.

  11. habsburg06 (59 months ago | reply)

    War is so senseless, Bill ! I am very proud to learn something about your fascinating family and your Scottish roots !
    As already mentioned, your Uncle is not forgotten !
    God bless you and your family !

  12. fizzix (42 months ago | reply)

    This is a wonderful tribute to your Uncle. I am sorry for your loss, and the loss of all soldiers, either in direct combat or in their capability to function normally as a result of their war experience. I've started a collection of my own Father's photos, and if you some day have time and inclination they're at
    www.flickr.com/photos/fizzix/collections/7215 7600232519825/

  13. ★

    Scavenger61 added this photo to his favorites. (28 months ago)

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