Lives of the First World War

Kenneth in uniform probably in 1915 before his regiment, 10th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, left for the Front in France, August that year

Beyond the river is part of Annan town where the three young sons of Charles and Sarah Watson of Greencroft (Kenneth Clennell, Patrick Balfour and William George Douglas) were born. In 1915/16 the sons went away to war, and never came back. That is except for Kenneth who in July 1916 was gassed and wounded. After release by Glasgow Hospital, he returned to his Regiment in France in Feb 1917 and was 'missing in action' at Arras on 11th April 1917 aged 22. His name is on the Faubourg d'Amiens Memorial cemetery in western Arras, and on the Roll of Honour of the Cochrane Company of Newbie, Annan

Kenneth Watson was an Apprentice Engineer at the Newbie Works of Cochrane Company in Annan near his home until he enlisted for the Army in August 1914. Today 'Cochran UK' at Annan are international manufacturers of industrial boilers with sites in Spain, Russia, China, and Brazil. Kenneth's name is displayed on the Company's Roll of Honour

The soldiers in uniform are brothers William George Douglas Watson (standing) and Kenneth Clennell Watson (left, sitting) with their cousin, Pat Cochran. The boy on the right, standing to attention with pace-stick, is Douglas

Kenneth was with the 10th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment in the trenches on the Western Front from August 1915 until the following July (this photo). However in July 1916 on the Somme he was both gassed and wounded. Evacuated to Glasgow Hospital, he was passed fit again to rejoin his regiment in Feb 1917. But within a few weeks on 11 April he was missing in action in the Arras Sector. His name is on the Faubourg d'Amiens Memorial in western Arras, France.

The British Memorial Cemetery at Arras where Lieut Kenneth Clennell Watson of the 10th Loyal Lancashire Regiment is inscribed and remembered

Tablet at the Faubourg d'Amiens Memorial Cemetery at Arras, where the name of Lieut Kenneth Clennell Watson of the 10th Loyal Lancashire Regiment, who was missing in action on 11 April 1917, is inscribed and remembered