Caroline WATSON and sons Ernest WATSON and Harry WATSON

[Mabel Bagshawe]

Here's a little snippet about Harry's WWI enlistment

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3585175/3585177/17/

ADDED

And his return after 4 years service

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3679443/3679444/9/

[Mabel Bagshawe]

And from August 1904

Mr Henry Watson—a stepson of the Rev A. Fuller Mills—was engineer on the "Hip-sang" which was captured and sunk by the Russians. According to the latest information. Mr Watson has reached Chi-fu (a neutral port), and has therefore reached safety after taking part in rather a striking piece of history

Added: Henry's account of events
https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3377124/3377128/114/

[Mabel Bagshawe]

Step sister Myra's wedding - https://newspapers.library.wales/view/4358745/4358755/66/  Neither are listed in the bridal party but both appear in the list of presents

[Mabel Bagshawe]

And some news of Ernest in 1915: https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3585405/3585408/25/

In 1901 he appears to be in the local asylum?

[Macushla]

There is this on Fold3 that maybe him

Name:   Harry Watson
Enlistment Age:   22
Birth Date:   abt 1876
Birth Place:   Bradford, Yorks
Enlistment Year:   1898
Regiment:   The Northd Fashiers
Regimental Number:   W.F/3262
Attestation Paper:   Yes

Think it  maybe The Northumberland Fusiliers?

Cas

Hi Cas, I couldn't help myself and got the free trial for Fold3. Looking at the record, it's not my Harry. Next of kin shows Sarah WATSON as mother, not Caroline. Will keep looking, including your suggestion for the census. Thank you so much for your help.

And some news of Ernest in 1915: https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3585405/3585408/25/

In 1901 he appears to be in the local asylum?

Thank you so much, Mabel, I found this interesting - then I saw on the record Cas pointed me to that there is reference to an 'asylum school' for the Military, so I need to look into that.

Thank you everyone, very much, I am still chasing up the other leads; the newspaper articles are fantastic, thank you all.

I will look through a few more Harries while I have my free subscription!

[Mabel Bagshawe]

The chap I was referring to appears in the joint counties asylum in Carmarthen, as Ernest Wm Watson, 26, single, occupation agent for ?? farm. No place of birth given. Speaks English (but not Welsh). Lunatic.

Your Ernest is definitely in the area in 1902 as he is noted being awarded his St John Ambulance certs at Golden Grove, as mentioned in the later WWI piece

There's a few sightings of an Ernest W Watson in and around Narbeth in following years  - winning prizes for essays in various local eisteddfodau 

[Macushla]

Many, many thanks, Mabel.
I was so fixed on the idea that the boys had stayed in Yorkshire, I had blinkered myself.
Very interesting. Looking through the census record for the asylum, it's amazing how many patients there were.
This has set me off on a new tangent - thank you!

If anyone reading this is good at deciphering handwriting, please help, as I am reading occupation as 'bicycle farmer' and I can't unsee it!