Obituaries Australia

members of the 16th Battalion, Spurgeon Marshall is seated second from the left

Australian War Memorial, P08421.001

Pte. Spurgeon Marshall Watson, of the 16th Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade, who was killed in action at the Dardanelles, was the fourth son of Mr. Joseph Marshall Watson, of' Albert Park, Woodville, and an elder brother of Pte. Joseph Charles W. Watson, the well-known Port Adelaide footballer, now at the front with the 1st Contingent. The late Pte. Watson was born at Albert Park on October 31, 1887. He was of a quiet and unassuming disposition. Educated at the Alberton State School, he entered the employ of Messrs. W. R. Cave & Co. as a cattle drover. He went to Western Australia in charge of cattle for the firm, and later was sent to Leigh Creek in connection with copper mining. There he remained for 13 months, and subsequently was sent to Macumba Station, beyond Oodnadatta, where he was engaged for some considerable time with cattle, and was one of a party to travel from that point to Hergott Springs. He was afterwards engaged at the Snowtown salt lakes, and then travelled to Gippsland, making the journey through that part of Victoria on foot. On his return to Port Adelaide, Pte. Watson entered the employ of Walter & Morris, Limited, and then that of Messrs. Lewis and Reid. He was with the latter firm when he enlisted with the 2nd Contingent.