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Watt B L Sapper 3688

Page history last edited by Lenore Frost 9 years, 4 months ago

Volunteers of Essendon and Flemington, 1914-1918

3688 Private Bruce Layton Watt, Signal Engineers, 2nd

Division, aged 19 years. Pte Watt was wounded in action

on 19 September 1917. He returned to Australia on 6 May

1919 as a member of the Australian Flying Corps. Australian

War Memorial Collection. http://cas.awm.gov.au/item/DA11487

Watt B L Sapper 3688 Bruce Layton FAB 19 Clerk Single C of E

Address: Ascot Vale, St Leonards Rd, 217

Next of Kin: Watt, O C, Mrs, mother, 217 St Leonards Rd, Ascot Vale

Enlisted: 7 Jul 1915

Embarked: A40 Ceramic 23 Nov 1915

Relatives on Active Service:

Watt-R-C-Pte-165 brother

SOLDIERS' LETTERS

Driver Bruce L. Watt, sends a long letter to Mrs. R. H. Watt, 217 St. Leonards road, Ascot Vale, describing the trip from Australia to Egypt on board the transport. From the time of leaving the camp in Australia, till he landed in Egypt, the various experiences of life aboard ship are interestingly set out. Under the excitement of leaving their native land for new scenes was a certain feeling of sorrow which the soldiers succeed in hiding under a cheerful countenance. The sea voyage was not interfered with by rough weather, and only a very small percentage were seasick. The soldiers mostly made their own amusement on board, and Driver Watt describes a game of draughts, the tops of ginger beer bottles doing service for draughts men. Boxing is very popular on board and helps to keep the men fit. The men all seem happy and contented, and it is noticeable that there is no talk of war amongst them.

After seeing nothing but the broad expanse of ocean for days, the sight of land causes excitement on board, and all eyes are on the rocky heights which appear in the distance. The trip up the Red Sea is set out in detail, and the coaling operations proved interesting. The chaps were all glad when the time came to disembark. They then entrained, and at length came to their camping place, and proceeded to make things ship shape. Driver Watt writes that one does not know what a beautiful place Australia is until some of the other places have been seen. He describes the trip to be of educative value, and he was making the most of his chances. He had quite settled down a to the life of a soldier, which was a good life; but to be a civilian and have peace was preferable, and they were out to do their part to bring the war to an end.

SOLDIERS' LETTERS. (1916, October 19). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 5 Edition: Morning. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74594459

WATT–GREY.–On the 25th August, at North Essendon Methodist Church, Jessie, eldest daughter of A. E. Grey, 36 Spencer street, Essendon, to Bruce Layton, second son of Mrs. and the late R. H. Watt, 22 Daisy street, Essendon.

Family Notices. (1923, October 20). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 17. Retrieved December 20, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1985781