9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Died:
01/07/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age:
35
Summary
Joseph Watt was the son of the late Andrew and Charlotte Watt. Joseph was born in Moy, County Tyrone about 1881. The 1901 census shows Joseph Watt was married to Martha Watt. They married about 1899. They were living in Altnavannog, Bernagh Joseph was working as an agricultural labourer. Joseph Watt enlisted in Omagh. Private Joseph Watt was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on the 1st July 1916 at the Battle of the Somme.
Further Information
Joseph Watt was the son of the late Andrew and Charlotte Watt. Joseph was born in Moy, County Tyrone about 1881.
Joseph Watt and Martha Williamson were married on 9th August 1898 in the district of Dungannon.
The 1901 census shows Joseph Watt was married. They were living in Altnavannog, Bernagh which is midway between Dungannon and Moy. Joseph was 21 years old, working as a general labourer and Martha was a linen weaver.
Known family: Joseph Watt, Martha Watt, Annie Watt (born about 1897), Jane Watt (born about 1899), Mary Watt (born 30th December 1901), Joseph Watt (born 25th December 1904), Elizabeth Watt (born 7th June 1908), William Thomas Watt (born 19th August 1910).
The 1911 census shows the family still living with Martha's mother, Eliza Williamson in Altnavannog, Bernagh near Moy. Martha was still a linen weaver. Joseph was now 33 years old and working as an agricultural labourer. Joseph's mother also lived with the family.
Joseph Watt was a member of Moy L.O.L. No. 90, Derryoghill R.B.P. No. 77 and the Dungannon Temperance Flute Band.
Before enlisting Joseph was in the employment of Mr Samuel Cummings, contractor.
Joseph Watt enlisted in Omagh.
1915
Private Joseph Watt arrived in France with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on the 5th October 1915.
1916
From the Tyrone Courier dated 18 May 1916:
Private Joseph Watt, Redford, who was a member of Moy L.O.L. No 90, and of the Dungannon Temperance Band, has been wounded.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 20th May 1916: Moy Man Wounded
Private Joseph Watt, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, has been wounded in action. Previous to volunteering he resided at Redford, Moy and was a member of Dungannon Temperance Flute Band and Moy L.O.L. No. 90, and Moy Company, Battalion U.V.F. He was in the employment of Mr Samuel Cummings, contractor.
Private Joseph Watt was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on the 1st July 1916 at the Battle of the Somme. He is commemorated on pier and face 4D - 5B on Thiepval memorial, France.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 10 August 1916:
Mrs Watt, Redford, has received intimation that her husband, Private Joseph Watt, Tyrone Volunteers, recently reported missing, is now reported killed in action. In addition to his wife, he leaves EIGHT young children. He was a member of Dungannon Temperance Flute Band.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 12th August 1916:
Private Joseph Watt, Tyrone Volunteers, who had been wounded on a previous occasion and had recently been reported missing, is now officially reported as killed in action on 1st July. He resided at Redford, Moy, and leaves a widow and eight young children. He was a member of Moy L.O.L. No. 90, Derryoghill R.B.P. No. 77 and the Dungannon Temperance Flute Band. In a letter to Mrs Watt, Lieutenant E W Crawford, acting adjutant, writes:-
'I regret to inform you that your husband, Private Joseph Watt, of my battalion, is missing since 1st July. He took part in the gallant attack made by the Ulster Division on that date. He was a good soldier and a loyal comrade, and his loss is keenly felt by all ranks in the battalion. Please accept my sincere sympathy in your great loss.'
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 26th August 1916: The Late Private Joseph Watt
At a meeting of Moy L.O.L. on 11th August, the following resolution was moved by Br. George Robinson, seconded by Br. William Gilmore, and unanimously passed:-
'That we desire to place on record our profound sorrow at the lamented death of our esteemed brother, Joseph Watt, who was killed in action in the famous charge of the Ulster Division against the German trenches in France on 1st July. We wish to express our appreciation of his worth as a devoted member of our lodge, whose hearty co-operation and generous support could always be relies on in our efforts for the welfare of our members. We hereby convey our sincere sympathy to his widow in her sad bereavement, assuring her that the memory of his connection with us will be an abiding inspiration.'
1917
From the Tyrone Courier dated Thursday 7 June 1917:
Mrs Watt, Redford, has now received official intimation that her husband, Private Joseph Watt, Inniskillings, was killed in action on the 1st July 1916. He had been a member of Dungannon Temperance Flute Band, Moy L.O.L. No. 90 and Moy Company U.V.F.
In addition to his wife, Martha, he left EIGHT young children.
Memorials
Private Joseph Watt has no known grave has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme. The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20th March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916.
Private Joseph Watt is commemorated locally on Dungannon War Memorial and on the WWI Roll of Honour in St Anne's Church Of Ireland in Dungannon.
The CWGC records Joseph as the son of the late Andrew and Charlotte Watt. The CWGC also records Joseph as the husband of Martha Watt who was then living at 17 Mark Street, Dungannon, County Tyrone.
