| James Watson was the only son of Thomas and Mary Watson. Thomas Andrew Watson married Mary Jane Dunn on 16th April 1889 in the district of Magherafelt.
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| James Watson was born in Moneymore on 3rd February 1891. He was one of four children.
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| Family: Thomas Andrew Watson, Mary Jane Watson, James Watson (born 3rd February 1891), Mary Watson (born 4th January 1895), Eliza Jane Watson (born 16th February 1897), Margaret Anne Watson (born 19th November 1899).
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| The 1901 census lists James as age 10, living with the family at house 13 in Larrycormick, Moneymore, County Londonderry. They were a farming family.
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| The 1911 census lists James as age 20, living with the family at house 13 in Larrycormick, Moneymore. James was a farm labourer. His father was a railway labourer.
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| James Watson enlisted in Donegal, probably at Finner Camp.
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| James Watson joined the 10th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and arrived in France on 5th October 1915.
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| Private James Watson was killed in action during the later stages of the Battle of Messines on Saturday 23rd June 1917. He was the only man in the 10th battalion killed on this day.
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| From the Belfast Newsletter dated 2nd July 1917:
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| Private James Watson, of Larrycormick, Moneymore, killed in action.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 22nd June 1918:
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| WATSON – In sad but loving memory of 16082, Private Jim Watson, 10th Inniskillings, who was killed in action in France on 24th June 1917, age 25.
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‘One year has now passed since he left us in sorrow,
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And sad was the shock we received on that day;
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But later we’ll meet him, to be with him ever,
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In the home of our Saviour who called him away.
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Nameless his grave in that far field of glory,
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Only a cross over a mound of brown earth;
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He died in the pride of his youth and high promise,
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Far from his home and the land of his birth.
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His King and country called him, the call was not in vain;
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On Britain’s roll of honour is placed the hero’s name;
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Bravely he marched to battle, nobly his life laid down,
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He unto death was faithful, his now the victor’s crown.’
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| Ever remembered by his sorrowing parents and sisters, Carmean, Moneymore.
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| Private J Watson is buried in Messines Ridge Cemetery, Belgium.
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| Private James Watson is commemorated locally on Moneymore War Memorial and on the Desertlyn Church of Ireland Roll Of Honour.
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