Talk:Jack Watson (Scottish footballer)

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Known to CWGC? Possible candidate to check out[edit]

It is unusual for a British serviceman known to have been killed in WWII not to have a mention in the CWGC database. Four men of his exact name died serving in the war as shown by this page from the database: https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/search-results/?Surname=WATSON&Forename=JOHN+GEORGE&Initials=&ServiceNum=&Regiment=&WarSelect=2&CountryCommemoratedIn=null&Cemetery=&Unit=&Rank=&SecondaryRegiment=&AgeOfDeath=0&DateDeathFromDay=1&DateDeathFromMonth=January&DateDeathFromYear=&DateDeathToDay=1&DateDeathToMonth=January&DateDeathToYear=&DateOfDeath=&Honours=null&AdditionalInfo=

Three died in 1944, including a Northumberland Fusilier aged 31 and a Royal Army Service Corps Corporal aged 28, whereas the footballer's life dates support an age of 32 or 33 years. There is though one candidate for his identity whose age and family details are albeit not stated by the CWGC, Captain John George Watson of the Royal Artillery, attached London Scottish Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders, who is buried in Italy having died on 9 September 1944. He could be ruled in or out as being the same man if obituary reports in newspapers could be found that mention his football career, such as in those of Edinburgh where he came from and may have still had family living at the time. Another source to check could be The Times, whose obituary section then included a "List of Fallen Officers" with biographical and tribute information on those known to the national paper to have died in military service.Cloptonson (talk) 18:44, 8 September 2022 (UTC)[reply]

He is the captain. Scroll down to last para of this from Liverpool Echo, 26 Sep 1944 p2, which reads "I regret to add that news also reaches me this morning of the death from wounds in Italy of Captain J. G. Watson, the former Tranmere Rovers and South Liverpool player, son of the Rev. and Mrs. J. Elder Watson. It is only a few weeks since I had a very cheery letter from him recounting his football experiences with the Forces." cheers, Struway2 (talk) 09:49, 15 September 2022 (UTC)[reply]
Thank you. That is a useful 'missing link' found that will greatly help improve this article.Cloptonson (talk) 10:28, 15 September 2022 (UTC)[reply]