Second World War - Lynsted Memorial Project
Walter Edgar WATSON (of Teynham)
b. 1920 Lance Corporal, Service Number 6096071 |
Son of John and Louisa Maud (née Reynolds) Watson.
Walter enlisted in the 6th Battalion, Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment on 19 July 1940. In 1941 he married Irene Mabel Shilling of Milton.
From the time of joining up, the 6th Battalion RWKs were back in the UK to be brought back up to strength they had been overrun by the Germans at Doullens after most of the survivors had been taken prisoner.
In November 1942, they became part of the 78th Infantry Division and played a major role in 'Operation Torch', the Anglo-American invasion of French Algeria. Arriving in North Africa in early November, they moved swiftly east towards Tunis. They distinguished themselves by holding the crossroads at Djebel Aboid for four days against an armoured column. They then advanced only to be halted on 30 November at Green Hill (Djebel Azzag) where they lost 11 officers and 150 other ranks in a heroic attack.
On 24 December 1942, it was reported that Walter was "Missing believed wounded" on 30 November 1942. It was not until 26 July 1944 that he was confirmed "Killed in action" on 30 November 1942.
At the time of his death his wife Irene was living in Teynham. Walter's daughter was born at the end of 1942.
He is remembered on the Medjez-El-Bab Memorial, situated near Majaz al Bab, Tunisia.
