WATT, Earl

War
1st World War
Date of Birth
Date Attested
Attested at
Blyth, Ontario
Original Unit
161st Huron Battalion
Regimental Number
654838
Rank
Private
Date of Death
Age at Death
21 years 4 months
Cemetery
Poelcapelle British Cemetery - West Vlaanderen - Belgium
Cenotaph
Blyth Memorial Hall
Biographical Summary

DIVISIONAL UNIT:        3rd Canadian Infantry Division
                                             9th Infantry Brigade
                                             58th Battalion - Central Ontario
                                             Canadian Infantry Corp
SERVICE NO:                   654838
RESIDENCE:                    Blyth – Ontario 
DATE OF BIRTH:            June 23, 1896
                                             Hullet Township – County of Huron - Ontario
DATE OF DEATH:           November 13, 1917             21 years     4 months
CEMETERY:                     Poelcapelle British Cemetery – Poelcapelle –
                                             West Vlaanderen – Belgium
                                             XIII     F     17
MOTHER:                         Mrs. William Riddell – Thornhill
SISTER:                              Mrs. Mary Watt - Londesborough
Occupation:                        Farmer                                  Religion:     Presbyterian
Enlistment:                         Blyth – May 16, 1916 – 161st Huron Battalion
Enlistment Age:                 19 years     11 months

The 161st Huron Battalion sailed from Halifax on October 30, 1916 on the SS Lapland arriving in England on 
November 11, 1916.
Private Watt was struck off service with the 161st on November 30, 1916 and taken on service with the 58th Battalion on December 1st. 
During the night of the November 12/13th the 58th Battalion had advanced the front line about 100 yards.
The weather was fair with some cloud and the winds were from the south-west between 8-10 mph.
From very early in the morning until 4:30pm the enemy artillery was very active and then shortly after that there was a very intense enemy bombardment immediately followed by an enemy counter-attack of 3 waves of enemy infantry 100 yards apart.
“B” & “C” Companies were on the front lines right and left with “A” & “D” Companies in support along with the “A” & “D” Companies of the 43rd Battalion.
The massing of the enemy was noticed and an artillery barrage was brought down on the first wave and then the Lewis guns and rifles of the 58th Battalion stopped the last 2 enemy waves before they reached the line.
It was during this counter-attack that it is believed Private Watt was killed performing his military duties.