Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Joseph was born in Gore, Southland, on 18 July 1897, the son of Joseph and Mary Watt nee Tretheway. He was educated at the Timaru Main School, being admitted 5 August 1902 and then going on to the Upper School in September 1904.

Joseph left home in 1911 to join the SS Amokura.The SS Amokura was previously HMS Sparrow, an old gunboat launched in September 1889, which was purchased by the NZ Government and converted into a seagoing training ship for boys who wished to enter into the navy or mercantile marine. Boys were accepted between the age of 13 ½ and 14 ½ years for two years training and paid one penny a day. The SS Amokura ended her days in 1955 as a wreck at St Omer Bay, Kenepuru Sound.

Before enlisting in the Australian Army at Liverpool NSW on 30 October 1914, Joseph was employed as a seaman and gave his last address as Balmain. His enlistment papers state him as being aged 20 years 4 months old so he obviously added 3 years onto his age so he could serve overseas. He is described as being single, of fair complexion, chest 31 inches, weight 10 stone 5 lbs, height 5 foot 10 inches, eyes dark brown and hair brown. He signed on for war service plus 4 months and embarked from Sydney11 February 1915 with the 2nd reinforcements, 1st Battalion Australian Infantry, on HMAT Seang Bee A48 for Suez Egypt.

Joseph landed at Gallipoli on 30 April 1915 and was killed in action on 17 May 1915. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial. At wars end his father was sent a memorial scroll and Joseph’s 1914–1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Personal effects were also despatched via Thomas Cook & Son per SS Ulysses in two packages March and April 1916 and his final effects from AIF Kit Store London via SS Barunga June 1918.

The Timaru Herald 23 June 1915 reported: “Private Joseph Watt, son of Mr J. Watt of Maungatai, who has been killed at the Dardanelle’s, was only 17 years of age. The first that his parents knew of his being at the war was when they received notice of his death (says yesterday’s Timaru Herald). He left home four years ago to join the Amokura, and when the war broke out he joined the first Melbourne Battalion.”

Sources

Military service record, National Archives Australia; www.findagrave.com; Timaru Herald 23 Jun 1915; NZ War Graves Project

External Links

Related Documents

No documents available. 

Researched and Written by

Liz Shea (SC branch NZSG); Ted Hansen (SC branch NZSG)

Currently Assigned to

Not assigned.