Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Margaret Watt was born on 21 March 1886 at Waimate, the eldest in the family (two daughters and three sons) of Alexander Watt and his second wife Jane née Whyte. Alexander (known as Sandy or Alec) and Jane who were both born in Scotland, married in 1884 at Waimate and remained in the district for many years. In 1899 three of the children transferred to Redcliffs School near Waimate. Alex. Watt, formerly a freeholder at Redcliff, bought a Government lease at Hannaton in April 1905. There was a large gathering in the Redcliff schoolroom to bid good-bye to Mrs A. Watt and present her with a handsome Kaiapoi travelling rug when she left the district to take up land at Studholme Junction. Mr Watt who had been chairman of the school committee for two years, was spoken of in eulogistic terms, especially with regard to his many kind and neighbourly actions. David Donald Watt, the youngest child of Alexander and Jane, had died at Redcliffe in March 1905.

Among the members of Dr Cruickshank’s class in “first aid”, also held at Nukuroa, Studholme, who passed the examination in November 1907, was Miss Margaret Watt. Was this the start of Margaret’s nursing career? When the Matron of the Waimate Hospital was farewelled on 29 January 1909, Miss Watt (one of the probationers) presented her with a bag fitted out with nursing paraphernalia, on behalf of the staff; also a framed picture of the nursing staff. “Miss Watt paid a warm tribute to the parting guest. She had sympathised with the younger nurses in their troubles, and helped them in their studies, and they felt parting with her very keenly.” At the July 1909 meeting of the Waimate Hospital Trustees, it was reported that Nurse Watt and another probationer nurse had passed most satisfactory examinations. Nurse Margaret Watt, of the Waimate Hospital staff, passed the recent nurses’ registration examination, reported the Waimate Daily Advertiser of 3 July 1911. In 1911 Margaret moved with her parents to Palmerston North.

By 11 August 1914, trained nurses who were members of the Auckland Trained Nurses’ Association were making a ready response to the call of the Motherland for assistance. A branch of the Alexandra Nursing Reserve had existed in New Zealand for some years. Among the names of those who had volunteered was that of Margaret Watt. Nurse M. Watt, daughter of Mr and Mrs A. Watt, spent a few days in Palmerston North in late May/early June 1915 before proceeding to Samoa under orders from the N.Z. Army Nursing Service. After about six months’ service in Samoa, she would go to the front. A Gazette notice dated 9 December 1915 advises that Nurse Margaret Watt left New Zealand for Samoan Relief on 31 May 1915! When she enlisted on 25 June 1915 at Auckland, joining the Nursing Service Samoa, Margaret was the charge nurse at a private hospital at Palmerston North. She had been medically examined at Auckland. She was 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighed 126 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 36-39 inches. She had a clear complexion, green eyes and brown hair. Her sight, hearing, colour vision, heart and lungs were all normal. She had dental plates. She had not been seriously ill; had had appendicitis 5 years prior. She was free from inveterate or contagious skin disease. Her physical development was good; also her bodily and mental health. She had one vaccination mark in her right arm and three in her left arm. She had been inoculated against typhoid. Single and Wesleyan, she named her father as next-of-kin – Mr Alexander Watt, Cross Street, Palmerston North. It was on 25 June 1915 that Margaret Watt declared that “I am a duly Registered Nurse, under forty-five and over twenty-three years of age, a born subject of the King of England, and willing to serve in the Military Hospitals when called on in accordance with the Regulations, at the rate of pay settled by the Defence Minister at the time the Nursing Service is called up.”

H. Maclean, Matron-in-Chief sent a memorandum the Director-General of Medical Services on 29th May 1916 – As the Apia Hospital is now under Civil control, could you send instructions to Col. Dawson to allow Sister Watt to return by next steamer from Samoa. She is anxious to return to Military service, and I would be glad to include her in next commission of “Marama”. A cable was sent to the Administrator in Samoa on 19 June 1916 – Sister Watt services required in New Zealand. Please return her by first boat. Staff Nurse Margaret Watt – matron of the Garrison Hospital at Apia - came home from Samoa on transport duty on the “Talune” in July 1916. The last military nurse stationed at the Apia Hospital (which had come under civil control), she relinquished charge of the hospital in order to go to England with reinforcements. After a month’s leave of absence with her relatives, she was to report for transport duty on the “Aparima” on 19 August 1916. She had served in Samoa, not for six months but for one year and nine days.

Nurse M. Watt embarked with the New Zealand Army Nursing Service Corps, 16th Reinforcements (N.Z Expeditionary Force), departing from Wellington per the “Aparima” on 19 August 1916 and disembarking at Plymouth, England on 25 October. The gazette of 21 September 1916 published notice of her promotion to the rank of Army Nursing Sister on 27 July. “Sister Margaret Watt writes that they the 16th Reinforcements, were nine and a half weeks going to England, and had a most delightful trip, calling at Freemantle, Durban, Capetown, Dubar (West Africa). She had been in London a few days before going on duty at Codford, but was disappointed with London. Everyone seemed so depressed, and it was so dark at night.” [Kai Tiaki: the journal of the nurses of New Zealand. 1 January 1917.] Arriving in England on 25 October, S/Nurse was posted to duty at No. 3 New Zealand General Hospital at Codford on 30 October. After a time at Sandwich, she returned to No. 3 N.Z. General Hospital on 31 December. After nine days’ furlough in February 1917, she returned to duty but was reported sick on 24 February. After reporting for duty again on 5 March 1917, she was admitted to the Nurses Rest Home at Sandwich on 13 March, suffering from tonsilitis, then was discharged on duty to No. 3 N.Z. General Hospital at Codford a week later. On 7 July 1917 Nurse Watt was transferred to No. 1 New Zealand Stationary Hospital at the Front (France). Detached to duty in the St Omer area of France on 1 August, she returned to the Stationary Hospital on 20 September. Staff Nurse M. Watt had been detailed for duty in France as extra staff, as the hospital had increased to 1,040 beds.

In late 1917, a resident of Waituna near Waimate received a letter from Sister Watt dated 28th September from “Somewhere in France”. She wrote very feelingly of the zeal and courage of the boys at the front, not only the New Zealanders but the Aussies and Canadians too. “At present I am on night duty and have charge of four tents (200 patients). . . . . It is not the work itself that is so trying; it is the sadness and suffering that goes on all around that takes it out of me. Poor boys, words can never describe what things we see and hear and the experiences some of us have had. I left Samoa to come Home for experiences and adventures, and I have got them. . . . . . . Dear boys, I love them all. One sees only the best that is in them. They are made of real grit the boys we nurse away up here. . . . . . . Often when I have been dressing their terrible wounds I tell them how sorry I am for them. They try to smile . . . . . . Poor lads, my heart aches for them and their dear ones at home. So many die of their awful wounds and one can’t help thinking of some mothers or sweethearts heart broken when they get the news that the light of their very life is gone. . . . . . . . France and Belgium are most beautiful countries. Both are like tremendous gardens. . . . . . . . Really, when one sees a peaceful scene like that you wonder if there is a war, then suddenly the big guns open fire, and the sky is a blaze of light and the guns roar just like thunder. As I am writing this, 2 a.m., the big guns are roaring not far away, and I can almost feel the table shake with them. I often think to myself how many boys are sent to eternity with each shot. Oh God! it is a terrible thing and it makes one wonder why these lovely boys are hurled to eternity, or wounded and maimed to finish out their life on earth. Boys, who in peace time, could have made life worth while. The ones that deserve our pity most are the poor laddies who are blinded. It is the most pathetic of all. . . . . . . . God alone knows the agony of mind those poor boys endure when they discover that they will never more see their dearest on earth nor see this beautiful old world of ours that we are given to enjoy. This is a sad, sad time we are living in. . . . . . .” [For full account, see attachment.]

After leave in France on 11 March 1918, she rejoined her Unit at the Stationary Hospital on 29 March 1918. While at the Stationary Hospital in April 1918, Margaret Watt certified that her Will had already been made and was lodge dwith Mr A. Watt, Cross Street, Palmerston North, NZ. She was promoted to Sister on 25 June 1918. She again rejoined her Unit at the Stationary Hospital on 14 September 1918 after detachments to several Casualty Clearing Stations in August and early September. Still on the Strength of the Stationary Hospital on 17 October 1918, she proceeded on duty to the UK and was struck off Strength on 10 November. Sister Watt reported to Headquarters on 10 November 1918 for ten days’ leave before going on duty to No. 2 New Zealand General Hospital at Walton. Margaret Watt was specially mentioned on 8 November 1918 in despatches by Sir Douglas Haig (Commander in Chief British Armies in France). The recognition was for gallant service and dedication to duty during the period 25 February 1918 to midnight 16/17 September 1918, when she was attached to the N.Z. Stationary Hospital.

As of 3 December 1918, Sister M. Watt, 22/360, was seconded for duty to New Zealand. She actually embarked on duty per the “Tahiti” (Draft 204) at Liverpool on 3 December 1918 for the return to New Zealand, intending to reside at the Red Cross Home in Auckland. The Medical Board assembled on the “Tahiti” on 7 January 1919 found no disability and recommended that she return to duty at a camp. When the transport berthed at Port Chalmers on 12 January 1919, “Sister Watt (senior nurse) was presented by Captain E. Collett, on behalf of some Mornington residents, with a beautiful bouquet of roses, including some from the garden of Mr Robinson, the well-known rose-grower.”

The Manawatu Patriotic Society had been notified that Sister Watt and other returned soldiers would arrive by the New Plymouth mail train on 14 January and had made arrangements for their reception, but the soldiers and nurse did not arrive. Subsequent advice was that they would arrive by the Auckland express later in the day. Sister M. Watt returned to Palmerston North on 14 January “after two and a-half years of strenuous nursing duties at the front. Miss Watt left Palmerston for Samoa in June, 1915, and afterwards went to England with the 16th Reinforcements, where she served for nine months at Codford. She was then transferred to a New Zealand stationary hospital in France, but latterly had been engaged in C.C.S. work on the Somme and at Dunkirk. She left France on the day of the armistice, the good news being received from a passing steamer in mid-Channel. Prior to leaving for the front, Sister Watt was on the staff of Nurse Roby’s hospital.” [Manawatu Standard. 15 January 1919.] She had commenced duty on 25 June 1915 and by the date of her discharge (1 February 1920) she had given 4 years and 222 days. She was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Struck off the Strength of the NZEF on 1 February 1920, Margaret Watt was posted to the Territorial Force and posted for duty at Featherston Military Hospital on 11 February 1919, transferred to the Reserve of Officers in 1921, then to the Retired List in 1934. From September 1916, the name of Nurse Watt appeared regularly in the Waimate Daily Advertiser Roll of Honour under the sub-title of Answered the Call.

When 22/360 Sister M. Watt claimed a refund in March 1919 for Rail fares incurred when reporting to Camp (£1.0.4.), there seemed to be some lack of clarification. The fare had been incurred when Sister Watt left the Transport at Port Chalmers and travelled to Palmerston North. When she boarded the train to return to Wellington “on Duty”, confusion arose over the validity of her document. In June 1919, the Matron-in-Chief sought approval for Sister Margaret Watt, 22/360, to hold rank and receive pay of Matron while she was acting as Matron at Featherston Hospital. She had been appointed Acting Matron at Featherston Military Hospital on 2 May 1919. The weighty responsibility of matron which had been temporally assumed by Sister Margaret Watt at a time when the hospital was experiencing difficulties in getting equipment and supplies, “was certainly rendered difficult by the constant change of orderlies, and we feel much sympathy with Sister on the unmerited slur which has been cast upon her by some enthusiastic persons who are not aware of the full circumstances, and who do not understand the management of military or, indeed, any other hospitals.” [Kai Tiaki. 1 July 1919.] Sister M. Watt was admitted to the Featherston Military Hospital on 1 September 1919 after suffering burns to her hands and face. The injury occurred during the performance of military duty. While she was attending to a spirit lamp, it exploded causing the burns. The injury was not serious and was not likely to interfere with her efficiency as a soldier. Sister Watt was ordered to report to the Nurses Lower Hutt Convalescent Home on 1 October 1919 and was authorized to receive treatment. Featherston Military Hospital closed on 24 December 1919. By year’s end 1919, while many sisters had been demobilised, some had been retained in the service. Charge-Sister Watt had gone to the Military Convalescent Home at Narrow Neck, where the staff quarters were somewhat temporary but had an outlook over Auckland’s lovely harbour.

Sister Margaret Watt’s address was Rod Green Home, Auckland on 13 December 1919 when she was advised that would be struck off the strength of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force on 1 February 1920 and placed on the Active Territorial List. Evelyn Firth Home which was prepared by the Auckland Red Cross and St John Society for the chronic patients from the military hospitals, was opened on 24 November 1920. There was sister Watt as senior sister. When the Narrow Neck Hospital came to an end early in December 1920, Sister Watt, who had been in charge of the patients’ messroom, was the recipient of a gold watch from some of the patients who had also been at Featherston. She was struck off the strength of the Active List of the New Zealand Army Nursing Service and placed on the Reserve as from 12 November 1921, with the rank of Sister. Sister M. Watt, of N.Z.A.N.S. who was demobilised from Evelyn Firth Home, 11 November 1921, availed herself of a Rail Warrant from the Repatriation Department, to visit Ruakura State Farm. She now desires a Single rail warrant from Ruakura to Palmerston North, to her home. This appears to be an unusual case, read a communication dated 16 December 1921. She was issued with the warrant, at short notice as requested. In late 1922, Sister Margaret Watt, reserve N.Z. A.N.S., reported from Palmerston North that she had left “Ruakura State Farm after her course there feeling very well and intending to do some visiting nursing in Palmerston North.” In August 1925, Miss Margaret Watt (Reserve N.Z.A.N.S.) was appointed matron of Wairoa County Hospital, Hawke’s Bay, out of fifteen applicants. Miss Watts, matron of the Wairoa Hospital, resigned her position in July 1928 and left in early August. “She has proved a very capable matron during her term of office, and many patients who have passed through the institution will regret to hear that she is leaving.” She was farewelled at a dance in mid-July in two disused wards, which were transformed for the occasion. She was tendered a formal farewell late in July, “there being a large attendance, including many ex-patients. Mr. and Mrs. Perry provided a capital musical entertainment. During an interval the Rev. W. R. Milne, in an eulogistic speech, presented Miss Watt with a beautiful writing desk as a reminder of her stay in Wairoa. Dr. Hallwright, on behalf of the nursing staff, presented Miss Watt with a suitcase, and from Mrs. Hallwright and himself a travelling rug. All the speakers testified to the value of Miss Watt’s work as matron. Miss Watt suitably responded.” Miss Margaret Watt went to Wellington where she joined her sister (Nurse Lily Ann Watt) in Brougham Street Private Hospital, taking over the management of the private hospital. (Lily Ann Watt passed her State examinations at Wairoa Hospital in 1920.)

It was surely in Wellington that Margaret met William Edward Haughton whom she married in 1931. William who had given outstanding service in the South African War and the First World War, lost his first wife in 1920. Margaret and William lived in Central Wellington. Mrs M. Haughton (née Watt), Reserve List (NZANS) was posted to the Retired List, with permission to retain rank and wear the prescribed uniform, on 23 April 1934. A nurses’ service was held at the National War Memorial, Buckle Street, Wellington on 23 October 1934, the anniversary of the sinking of the Marquette, in which ten New Zealand nurses lost their lives. Among the nurses present was Sister M. Watt (Mrs Haughton). Margaret had probably known one or more of the nurses lost in the tragedy, from her Waimate days – Mary Gorman, and possibly Catherine Fox. On 19 April 1938, Mrs W. E. Haughton (née Sister Margaret Watt, N.Z.A.N.S.) left by the ”Awatea” as a member of the New Zealand contingent for the Anzac celebrations in Sydney. She stayed on to holiday in Australia, visiting Melbourne, Katoomba and the Jenolan Caves. William Edward Haughton died suddenly on 17 December 1945, leaving a widow, “well known to the survivors of the 1914-18 war as sister Margaret Watt, who gave outstanding service overseas”, and a daughter from his first marriage. Mrs Margaret Haughton and William’s daughter tendered their grateful thanks to their many relatives and friends for their loving sympathy and kindness and the lovely floral tributes to them in their sad and sudden bereavement. Margaret lived on in Wellington and resumed her nursing duties.

Margaret Haughton (née Watt) died on 10 April 1962 at Wellington, aged 78 years. Like William, she was buried in the Soldiers section of Karori Cemetery, where services plaques mark their graves. Her next-of-kin at death was Sgt. A. C. Watt, 12 Taiaroa Street, Wellington – her nephew Alexander Charles Watt who served in the Medical Corps with Jayforce and continued with the regular army. Margaret’s Will for which probate was granted, was signed in June 1961 when she was of Levin. She appointed her niece Myrtle Watt and her nephew George Ernest Alexander Watt as executors. She bequeathed pecuniary legacies to her nieces Myrtle Watt and Anne Martin (daughters of her brother George Alexander Watt who had died in January 1961), and to her nephew George Ernest Alexander Watt. To Ella, the wife of George Ernest Aleander Watt, she left jewellery, clothing, household and personal effects. The residue of her estate, after payment of funeral and testamentary expenses and the legacies, was to go to the New Zealand Foundation for the Blind. Margaret’s oldest brother, Ivan Francis Watt, was listed on the World War One Reserve Rolls. Her cousin - Alexander McHardy Rattray – also served in World War One; while another cousin – George Edmund Watt - enlisted. Mrs Jane Watt died on 17 March 1927 at the Wellington private hospital where her younger daughter Lily was the matron. Margaret was at the time matron of the Wairoa Hospital. Jane was buried at Palmerston North where she and Alexander had lived since about 1911. Alexander Watt died on 9 July 1930 at the Palmerston North Hospital and was buried with Jane.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [09 January 2014]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK 18805 W5557 0119852) [15 January 2016], NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK 18805 W5967 0363442) [15 January 2016]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [15 January 2016]; Karori Cemetery headstone transcription [29 June 2015]; Karori Cemetery headstone photos (Wellington City Council) [21 May 2024]; Probate record (Archives NZ/FamilySearch) [15 January 2016]; Waimate Daily Advertiser, 4 & 11 April 1905, 1 February 1909, 30 July 1909, 3 July 1911, 17 June 1916, 19 September 1916, 30 May 1918, Timaru Herald, 15 November 1907, Kai Tiaki – the journal of the nurses of NZ, 1 April 1909, 1 July 1916, 1 October 1916 [x 2], 1 January 1917, 1 October 1917, 1 January 1918, 1 January 1919, 1 April 1919 [x 2], 1 July 1919, 1 January 1920 [x 2], 1January 1921 [x 2], 1 January 1923, 1 October 1925, 1 October 1928, Auckland Star, 11 August 1914, Manawatu Standard, 5 June 1915, 16 August 1916, 6 January 1919, 14 & 15 January 1919, 15 August 1925, 18 March 1927, New Zealand Times, 15 July 1916, 18 August 1916, 6 January 1919, 27 March 1919, Press, 17 July 1916, 26 October 1934, New Zealand Herald, 22 July 1916, Dominion, 21 August 1916, 21 March 1927, 10 July 1930, Sun, 21 November 1916, Manawatu Times, 7 January 1919, Evening Star, 13 & 14 January 1919, Evening Post, 11 August 1925, 18 April 1938, 16 June 1938, 18, 28 & 31 December 1945, Poverty Bay Herald, 12, 20 & 31 July 1928 (Papers Past) [15 January 2016; 15, 16, 20 & 21 April 2017; 18 September 2019; 02 October 2020; 26 March 2023; 19 & 21 May 2024]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [19 May 2024]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• WATT Margaret - newspaper clippings (pdf, 75.6 KB updated 25-Oct-2024)

Researched and Written by

Currently Assigned to

TS