Pte. G.O. WATSON

FIRST NAMES: George Oliver

NUMBER: 4458112

RANK: Private

UNIT: Durham Light Infantry

DOB:1919

STATUS: Died

DATE OF DEATH: 31st August 1947

WHERE BURIED: Northallerton Cemetery

MEDALS: 1939-45 Star, Victory Medal


George Watson was born in Northallerton in 1919 and was the son of John and Sarah Watson and brother to Sydney and Winifred.

On the outbreak of war, George volunteered for the army and joined the 1st Battalion the Durham Light Infantry. In 1941 he went to Singapore and it was there where he was captured by the Japanese. He was a POW for more than three years and on returning to England never recovered from the treatment he received from his captors. On the 31st of August 1947, George died of illness and injury. George is the brother of Private Sydney Watson of the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment.

George Watson lies buried in Northallerton Cemetery. He is also remembered on the Northallerton War Memorial. He died aged 28 years.