Christopher “Kit” Watson AM

b. 22/02/1895 Sunderland. d. 1st Q 1968 Sunderland.

DATE OF AM ACTION: 26/01/1918 Grantham, Lincolnshire.

Christopher “Kit” Watson
AM

Christopher, known as “Kit”, was born on 22nd February 1895 in Sunderland, the eldest of five children born to James and Jane Watson (nee Alcock). His father, James, was an engine driver. The family lived at 10 Cousin Street, Sunderland, and after basic schooling, Kit became an errand boy at the local market. Shortly before the outbreak of World War I, Christopher had decided to join the Merchant Navy, and rose to the position of 2nd Engineer. This was the position he held aboard the tug “Sunderland” when it was involved in the rescue of wounded men off the “Earl of Forfar” on 8th November 1916. It was for this action he was awarded an Albert Medal. In 1917 he married Ada Aldridge in Sunderland, and they went on to have three children. Little else is known about Kit Watson’s life, other than he died in 1968 in Sunderland, aged 72.

 

AM CITATION:

On the 8th November, 1916, a series of fires and explosions occurred at Bakaritsa, Port of Archangel, on merchant ships and on the wharves. The S. S. ” Baron Driesen” had blown up at 1 p.m. and part of the S.S. ” Earl of Forfar ” forty minutes later. The latter ship, with a cargo of explosives, was on fire, and might have blown up at any moment, and explosions were continually taking place in the immediate vicinity. The ship was alongside the main fire on shore, and burning embers were constantly showered over her. Lieutenant Richardson, 2nd Engineer Watson, and, Able Seamen Henry and Thompson, of the Tug ” Sunderland,” nevertheless volunteered to board the ” Earl of Forfar and effected the rescue of a considerable number of wounded and helpless men who would otherwise have perished. They displayed the utmost .gallantry and disregard of their own personal safety in saving the lives of others.

 

BURIAL LOCATION: UNKNOWN.

LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.