Corporal Ralph Septimus Watson 2078725 505 Field Company, Royal Engineers

Ralph Watson was born on Sat 25 Mar 1911 at 4 Church Terrace, Blaydon to Ralph Septimus Watson (1869-1930) a glass bottle maker and Mary Jane Watson (Nee Higgins 1872-1941) who were married in 1896. A month later the 1911 Census was taken, and Ralph was listed as the youngest of 8 children including Thomas (b.1897), Ethel (b.1898), Hilda (b.1900), Olive (b.1902) and Robert (b.1907) there were 2 elder stepchildren too Margaret Higgins (b.1892) and Samuel Higgins (b.1894). On 11 April 1911 his birth was registered by his mother.

In 1921 the family lived at 37 Theresa Street, Blaydon his father’s occupation was now listed as a School Caretaker at Blaydon West Council School. Ethel (23) was living in the house with her husband Edward March (25) a Machinist at Smith Pattinson & Co Ltd and their daughter Elizabeth March (1), Thomas (24) was listed as a labourer and Hilda (21) was a housemaid for Dr Morrison.

Ralph married Edith Chilton (b.10 Feb 1912) on 24 July 1933 in Winlaton and had a daughter Irene that same year.

He joined the Royal Engineers in Newcastle on 19 Apr 1939, where his occupation was listed as an Iron Moulder and he was described as 5’8’’ and 152 lbs with fair complexion and brown hair and eyes. He served with 505 Field Coy and on 28 Jan 1940 he was sent to France as part of the BEF and returned on 01 Jun 1940. Admitted to CRS Tiverton hospital between 07-10 May 1941 for Pharyngitis (throat inflammation) he then returned to Egypt on 19 May 1941 and returned to the UK on 17 Jul 1941.

He was admitted to the military hospital in Nicosia, Cyprus between 12 – 26 Sep 1941 with acute diphtheria. On 27 May 1942 he was wounded in his left foot in the Western desert; his foot was subsequently amputated on 08 Jun 1942. His wife Edith was informed at 32 Theresa St, Blaydon. Ralph was evacuated to the UK from Libya on 13 Dec 1942 to the Royal Victoria Hospital Netley, near Southampton.

On 13 May 1943 he was admitted to Shotley Bridge Hospital, County Durham with a malignant adenoma of the upper abdomen. He was transferred to the Ministry of Pensions Hospital, Dunston Hill, Gateshead on 16 June 1943 where he died, on 11 July 1943 age 32 years, from heart failure and a malignant tumour of the abdomen. His wife Edith was in attendance when he died.

He was awarded the 1939/45 star and the defence medals. He was buried in Blaydon cemetery section H grave 27 on 14 Jul 1943 and is commemorated on the Blaydon war memorial. On 04 Sep 1943 Edith was not granted a pension as Ralph’s death was not related to enemy action, however this decision was overturned on 12 Jul 1944 as it was now admitted under a war pension. Edith now lived at 15 Twizell Avenue, Blaydon on Tyne.