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CWM 19900296-003
George Metcalf Archival Collection
Canadian War Museum
CWM 19900296-003 George Metcalf Archival Collection Canadian War Museum
CWM 19900296-002
George Metcalf Archival Collection
Canadian War Museum
CWM 19900296-002 George Metcalf Archival Collection Canadian War Museum
CWM 19920166-1691
CWM 19920166-1691

Sergeant

Watts, Harry

Unit

87th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Canadian Grenadier Guards)

Branch

Infantry

Service Component

Canadian Expeditionary Force

Service Number

409776

birth

1888/09/20

Buckingham, United Kingdom, England

death

1920/04/04

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

grave

St. John's Norway Cemetery, Toronto, Ontario

Gender

Male

Harry Watts was born in Buckingham, England, on 20 September 1888. It is unclear when he immigrated to Canada.

A labourer, Watts enlisted in the 37th Canadian Infantry Battalion in Toronto, Ontario, on 15 July 1915. After initial training in Canada, he and his unit left for England on SS Lapland on 27 November 1915. The battalion landed in Plymouth on 4 December 1915. Upon arrival in England, it provided reinforcements to Canadian units already in the field. Watts was transferred to the 12th Reserve Battalion before being posted to the 60th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Canadien-Français) and then the 87th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Canadian Grenadier Guards).

On 4 April 1920, Watts died from chronic endocarditis (inflammation of the lining of the chambers and valves of the heart) in St. Michael’s Hospital, in Toronto. His death was attributed to his war service.

Harry Watts is buried in St. John's Norway Cemetery, Toronto, Ontario.

The Canadian War Museum’s Collection includes the following artifacts for this recipient