Born in 1897 at Woodford, son of Edward (General Bricklayers Labourer) and Elizabeth Watts. 1901: With his family at 4 Maybank Road, South Woodford. 1911: A Chemists Errand Boy, living with his family at Melrose Villa Maybank Road, South Woodford. The family home later moved to 120 West Grove, Snakes Lane, Woodford Green
He enlisted at Woodford, and in due course arrived on the Western Front.
On 10th February 1917, 8 Royal West Surreys relieved the 9th Battalion of that Regiment in the left sub section of the trenches at Hulluch. That evening the Germans shelled the Battalion with “Minnenwerfers” (short range mortars). On 11th February 1917 the short range mortar fire continued supplemented by trench mortars, their rounds mainly falling around the Centre Company. This was the likely reason that William Watts was Killed in Action that day.
X/R: Private Henry Watts (Brother)
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Sources:
Ancestry.com
Regimental War Diary