Watson, Ernest John (Private, b.1888 - d.1974)

Collection of 695 Private Ernest J Watson of 26 Battalion. It comprises a photograph of Watson in uniform and a diary he wrote between 3 January 1917 and 2 December 1919. In the diary Watson writes frequent, though brief, entries relating to his experiences from the time of his enlistment in Brisbane, January 1917 to his return to Australia, October 1919. Watson writes of his training at Seymour, Victoria, his journey to England on SS Suevic, drill practice, church parades and recreational activities such as battalion sports. He also notes his Battalion's movements, including their arrival on the front line at the Somme in early April 1918. Watson mentions an assault near Morlancourt, 10 June, where he was wounded and evacuated to 3 Canadian General Hospital at Boulogne.