A young soldier

A young soldier

Private Rosewall James Watson 8/2493 was only 20 when he joined the Otago Infantry Regiment on 1st May 1915. From that point on he had a difficult war due partly to serving in the Gallipoli fiasco where he was shot in the jaw and partly as a result of his own behaviour. From 27 March 1916 to 3rd October 1917 he was charged four times by the army authorities for being AWOL, using obscene language to a NCO and striking an NCO. His fourth charge was the most serious when he was found guilty of negligence and fined 90 days pay. This loss of pay was never carried out as he was killed 9 days later. The fourth action happened when he was cleaning his rifle and placed a round in the cylinder. His rifle then discharged wounding three of his fellow soldiers. He also spent time in hospital twice recovering from VD. The first was on 31/3/1916 and the second on 2/10/1916. May he rest in peace.

Created by: , Gerald98528

  • Profile picture for Rosewall James Watson

    Born 1895

    Died 1917

    New Zealand Expeditionary Force 8/2493 Private Otago Infantry Regiment 2nd Battalion