Ernest George Watson (1891-1918) of Martham
Ernest is listed on the War Memorial as one of those who gave his life during the First World War.
Ernest was born in January 1891 in Martham. His parents were Lewis Watson & Hannah Maria, nee Warnes, she came from Mattishall. Ernest was one of eight children all born in Martham, there was Ellen about 1880; George born about 1881; Lewis born about 1884; Margaret Maud 1885-1888; Mary born in 1887; John born about 1889 and Kathleen Louise born about 1898.
When he was two months old in 1891 Ernest lived with his parents at Cess, Martham. In 1901 & 1911 he lived with his parents at Bracey’s Buildings, Cess and by the time he was 22 he was a farm labourer.
He appears to have married a Marion Benner in 1916 at South Shields, Durham which perhaps explains why he joined the Durham Light Infantry because he was in that area. His military serial number was 129745 and he was in the 15th Battalion Machine Gun Corps (Inf) formerly Durham Light Infantry in 1918. Ernest & Marion do not appear to have had any children.
Ernest was killed at Flanders on 5th November 1918 and was buried at Wez-Velvain Churchyard, Brunehaut, Hainaut, Belgium. His gravestone is shown below.
