Private Joseph James Watson

Joseph James Watson was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on 6 October 1895. He gave his age as 22 when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 16 August 1915. It is not known when he had arrived in Australia, but at the time of his enlistment in Brisbane, he was working as a labourer. He embarked with the 11th reinforcements of the 15th Battalion at Brisbane aboard HMAT Seang Bee on 21 October 1915. Watson arrived in France on 8 June 1916 and served with the 15th Battalion until he was granted leave on 19 August 1918.

He rejoined the 15th Battalion on 6 September 1918 and remained in France until his return to Australia on 6 April 1919. Watson left Le Havre, France, on 18 April 1919 and returned to Australia from Devonport, England aboard Beltana on 2 June 1919. While on active service with the AIF, Watson was also a member of the 15th Battalion Band and played the cornet. After returning to Australia, Watson lived in Brisbane and worked as a salesman. He married Henrietta von Sendon on 2 August 1919.

Watson enlisted at Kelvin Grove, Queensland, on 1 October 1940 for military service during the Second World War. Between 1940 and 1943, he was a member of the Line of Communication Band and was stationed at Goondiwindi. The band played for the troops at many different camps around Queensland, including at dances in the evening. In 1964, Watson wrote a letter to Central Army Records Office about the time he had spent with the band and the impact of this on his health. Joseph James Watson died on 23 September 1971.