Person

Little is known with any certainty about the early life and family of John Watson. His service record informs us that he was born on 7 March 1894 in Sunderland. He was working as a labourer before he joined the Royal Navy on 12 November 1915 to serve for the duration of hostilities. He was initially rated as a stoker 2nd class and given the service number K29024. He was rated as a stoker 1st class on 22 January 1916 and joined the crew of HMS Opal on 1 April 1916.

On the night of 12 January 1918 the destroyers HMS Opal and HMS Narbrough were on night patrol east of Orkney, Scotland looking for German ships and submarines laying mines. In near zero visibility Opal hit rocks at speed off the coast of South Ronaldsway. She rapidly sank with the loss of John and all but one of her entire crew. John’s body was not recovered for burial and he is honoured on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. He had married Mary Watson at some time and when informed of his death she was living at 47 Silver Street, East End, Sunderland.

John Watson was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal for his service during the First World War.

Civil Parish: Sunderland

Birth date: 07-Mar-1894

Death date: 12-Jan-1918

Armed force/civilian: Navy

Residence: 47 Silver Street, East End, Sunderland (1918 Royal Navy record)

Employment: Labourer (1915 service record)

Family: Spouse: Mary Watson

Military service:

K29024
Royal Navy
Stoker 2nd class, 12 November 1915
Stoker 1st class, 22 January 1916
HMS Opal, 1 April 1916

Medal(s): British War Medal
Victory Medal

Memorial(s): Portsmouth Naval Memorial

Gender: Male

Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham