James McLean Watson POW WW2

[jaybelnz]

James McLean Watson was my 1st cousin once removed. He died in 1978.

He served with the Expeditionary Force.
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C142727

I have looked for a possible record on Archway, but couldn't turn one up. Would I have to get this one from Trentham perhaps?

I remember my Mum telling me that he had been a prisoner of war.

I would like to get his WW2 record, but need to know what identification I may need to provide. For my Dad's record, from Trentham Archives, a good few years ago now, I had to provide my ID details to prove I was his daughter.

Anyone with the usual wonderful advice for me??

This is another member of my Oamaru Watson Family, and the brother of the last one you helped me out with, Margaret (Peggy) Watson. Jim didn't disappear though! 😄  He came home from WW2 - was one of the lucky ones!

Thanks for any advice!

Jeanne 😄

[Janette]

It shouldn't be a problem to request his file from NZDF

http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/personnel-records/nzdf-archives/accessing-military-service-records.htm

There may still be a huge backlog on these files .

Cheers Janette

[jaybelnz]

Thanks Janette, I got my Dad's record from there, wasn't really sure whether they still did them! 

It's only about 10 minutes from where I live - I might take a wander down there, take approp. certs, ID etc with me just in case they might need them!

So with any luck tomorrow should be a productive day - I have some photos to take at Karori Cemetery for another Rootschatter in the South Island and also going to clean up my Mum & Dad's Brass plate in the soldiers columbarium, so can take a new photo of that as well! The last one I took wasn't very good as it was a bit weathered and dirty, so I'm Sadie the cleaning lady tomorrow!

[Janette]

It might pay to print off the application form,fill it in and take it with you,

Cheers Janette

[jaybelnz]

Good idea Janette.  Thanks!

Jeanne

[jaybelnz]

Just picking up on this thread again, as I need proof of death!

A search at Archway brought me "6 results listed for James McLean Watson" .
These were "Coroner's Request Unnecessary files" But despite going carefully through
them a couple of times,I couldn't locate him on those lists.  I then tried an advanced
search, but got 0 Results with that. I figured that if I could find him on a Coroner's list,
that might serve as Proof of Death!

I need to get this proof to order his Military Records, to find out
in particular where he was held as a Prisoner of War, and the details of that!
I knew from the Online Cenotaph record that he had served in the 2nd NZ Expeditionary
Force, and also I already knew he had been a Prisoner of war during WW2!  But he did
come home.

He died in Hutt Hospital in 1978, so it's a Non Historical death!  I don't have RealMe  I/D
I used to have it years ago, but haven't been able to locate my login details, so haven't
been able to order a Death Certificate. (I've tried getting in to re-register, but find that
really very confusing, so no success either there).

What I'm asking here please,  is if anyone could do an advanced search for him on
Archway??  I would be very grateful if someone who (unlike me😄) knows their way
around Archway, can try and find him on Archway somewhere!  Even if he was in a Coroner's unnecessary file, I'm hoping that would be enough proof for Defence Force that he is indeed dead, and I'll be able to order his Military record, hopefully from Archway too, as I'm no living near Trentham Camp to pop around as I used to!  (I'm in Masterton now - away from the earthquakes)!

My search Result came up as

 "ARCHWAY HAS FOUND 6 RECORDS LISTED FOR  James McLean Watson"
(These were the Coroner's Unnecessary Files, where I couldn't pick him up)
 
Would really appreciate any assistance with this one.

Thank You!
Jeanne

[Janette]

Hi Jeanne,

I think that looking at the 6 results they are combinations of the 3 names within each result,none are "James McLean Watson"
Have you tried phoning BDM's on the 0800 number to order the death  cert?

https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/contactus

Cheers Janette

[jaybelnz]

Thanks Janette.  Your explanation makes good sense!  And I will phone BDM to order the cert.  I forgot that I could ring them to order! Duh!?

Have a good day!

Jeanne 🌺

[kahu]

Hi Jeanne
Sorry this is a bit late in the piece, I don't check in very often and just noticed your post.  Hope by now you have James' service record.
If you are interested, I have a couple of photos with James in them.  He was in the same unit as my father, 4th RMT, and they would have been together in Egypt and on Crete.
You are right, he was one of the lucky ones - one of the photos mentioned is a group of eight taken at Alexandria.  Four didn't come home, three were POW and one (my father) returned wounded.
I also have a small POW group photo taken at Stalag 8B Lamsdorf that was sent to my Dad by one of his RMT mates, also from Oamaru.  Possibly he and James were in the same camp.  I will scan and enlarge the photo and see if I can spot him.
Regards
Bob