32767 Lance Corporal Andrew Watson, (25/12/1873-14/4/1918). "an ardent Druid"

Very many people in Oamaru and the district generally will learn with sorrow that Mr Andrew Watson has been killed at the front. He was an Oamaru boy in every sense of the word, having been born here on Christmas Day, 1873, and educated at the Middle and South Schools. In Oamaru he spent the greater part of his busy life. He was for some time in partnership in the coal business with Mr W. Jardine, but later joined Messrs J. D. Familton and Sons as auctioneer. Then in partnership with Mr Gresham he commenced business as auctioneers and land agents; but the partnership did not last long, and after carrying it on for some time on his own account, Mr Watson accepted the position of business manager of the North Otago Times under the old proprietary, and when, the paper changed hands he was for a brief space engaged under the Company. Then, he went to Dunedin, where he was engaged in a land agency business when he enlisted for active service and went away with the Nineteenth Reinforcements. Mr Watson was a most energetic worker, and took an active part in many matters of public concern. For two terms he was a member of the Borough Council and showed an aptitude for the work and a keenness that rendered him a useful member. He was an ardent Druid, and attained the highest office in the Endeavour Lodge. He was also an enthusiastic Volunteer, and as a member of the Oamaru battery of artillery, in which he did a good deal of work had attained non-commissioned rank. These things are but a few of the activities in which he engaged. When the war broke out, although over the military age, he was keen to take a share in fighting for the Empire. For a time his friends succeeded in restraining him, but he finally enlisted and was accepted after some demur. In England he was refused service at the front because of his age, and was set to other work in. connection with the war. He chafed at this restraint of his ambition, and ultimately succeeded in getting to France as orderly to Captain Chisholm, with whom he had been associated in entertainment giving in Oamaru. So late as February last he had not succeeded in getting into the fighting line, but he seems to have been accepted later as a member of the Entrenching Battalion, and his career was cut short on the 14th April, when he was killed in action.   -Oamaru Mail, 10/5/1918.

The Entrenching Battalions were second-line troops which were not expected to face the full force of an attacking enemy.  Andrew Watson's unit had left ammunition behind to speed their march to where they were to dig trenches from which to stop or delay the German Army's spring offensive.  Instead, due to a British unit on their side withdrawing without letting them know, they faced the full force of the attackers.  Many New Zealanders were captured. Many died, among them Andrew Watson.

Volunteers from the Boer War era.  Andrew Watson is in the middle of the front row.

ROLL OF HONOUR.

WATSON — Killed in action on 14th April, 1918, somewhere in France, Private Andrew Watson, beloved husband of Mary M. B. Watson, of Queen street, Dunedin, and late of Oamaru; eldest beloved son of the late A. and Mrs E. S. Watson, Tyne street, Oamaru; aged 44 years.  -North Otago Times, 11/5/1918.

Oamaru Cemetery.