Robert Wallace Watson was a Glasgow-born, Dunedin-based painter when he enlisted. He left New Zealand for France in mid-1916.
Robert Watson was wounded in battle three times, all minor wounds, before he received his ultimately fatal gunshot wound in 1918 which left him a cripple.
A memo sent to the military records office in Wellington, giving details of his military burial, adds theis description of the cause of death: "GSW spine, mental aberration, asthenia." GSW (gunshot wound) seems simple enough, but "mental aberration" is a shocker. As for "asthenia," it needed some research to find that it refers to a general and extreme fatigue of the body and mind.
Mr Robert Wallace Watson, the eldest son of Mr and Mrs R. S. Watson, of Belleknowes, died in the Dunedin Hospital on Monday morning from the effects of wounds received in action on July 21, 1918. Though discharged from the forces in April last, he had never been out of hospital since his return to New Zealand in January, 1919. Private Watson was wounded four times during his two years in France. He bore with great fortitude the spinal incapacity from which he finally succumbed, and his loss is greatly deplored by a large circle of friends and comrades. -Otago Daily Times, 18/1/1921.
FOR THE EMPIRE’S CAUSE.
DEATH.
WATSON. — On January 17, at Dunedin Hospital (the result of wounds received on active service, July, 1918), 23640 — Private Robert Wallace Watson, the beloved eldest son of R. S. and M. Watson, 7 Carnarvon street, Belleknowes, Mornington; aged 25 years.
“A patient sufferer gone to rest.”
MILITARY FUNERAL. The Friends of Mr and Mrs R. S. WATSON (and Family) are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of their late SON, 23640 — Private R. W. WATSON, which will leave their Residence, 7 Carnarvon street, Belleknowes, Mornington, TO-MORROW (WEDNESDAY), the 19th inst., at 2 p.m., for the Anderson’s Bay Cemetery.— HOPE & KINASTON, Undertakers, 36 St. Andrew street. -Otago Daily Times, 18/1/1918.
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