People / Richard Lancelot Watson

Richard Lancelot Watson

1910 – 1942
Second World War serviceman of the Watson (Telfer-descendant) branch — killed in action at Rabaul, 1942
RW

Biography

Role: Second World War serviceman of the Watson (Telfer-descendant) branch — killed in action at Rabaul, 1942

Born: 23 December 1910 — Thornbury, Victoria (VWMA / Nominal Roll; supplement book gives 1912 — see Notes: book year is a transcription error, official rolls + age-at-death support 1910)
Died: 23 January 1942 (aged 31) — Rabaul, East New Britain, Papua New Guinea, killed in action
Commemorated: Rabaul Memorial, Rabaul, Papua New Guinea
Service: Private, VX21590, 2/22nd Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Army

Family

RelationName
BranchWATSON — descent from Jean Telfer (1840–1892)Mary Jane Paynter (1861–1945) → John Watson (b. 1851 Hobart) → Joseph Watson (1883–1948)
FatherJoseph Watson (b. 21 Mar 1883) — caretaker-manager of a piggery at Preston, Victoria; d. 1948
MotherMay Bailey, of Hobart, Tasmania (m. 1907)
SiblingsJohn Bailey (Jack) Watson (b. 1908), Hazel Beulah Watson (b. 1910), Donald Stewart Watson (b. 1914), Maxwell Charles Watson (b. 1916), Joyce Elaine Watson (b. 1920)
SpouseMrs E. E. Watson, of East Preston, Victoria

Timeline

DateEvent
23 Dec 1910Born at Thornbury, Victoria (Nominal Roll; supplement book says 1912 — see Notes)
1907Father Joseph Watson married May Bailey of Hobart, Tas
1941/42 (enlist)Enlisted Australian Army, allocated service number VX21590, 2/22nd Australian Infantry Battalion
23 Jan 1942Killed in action at Rabaul, East New Britain, Papua New Guinea (Second World War, 1939–1945)
Commemorated at the Rabaul Memorial, Papua New Guinea

Sources

  • AWM: Private Richard Lancelot Watson (P10297996) / Roll of Honour R1694694 — VX21590, 2/22nd Bn, d. 23 Jan 1942 Rabaul — accessed 23 Aug 2026
  • FindAGrave: Richard Lancelot Watson (memorial 23808834) — "Son of Joseph and May Watson; husband of Mrs E. E. Watson, of East Preston, Victoria" — accessed 23 Aug 2026
  • Virtual War Memorial Australia: WATSON, Richard Lancelot, VX21590, 2/22nd Aust Inf Bn, born 23 Dec 1910, died 23 Jan 1942 Rabaul — accessed 23 Aug 2026
  • Book: From the Borders to the Bush (Telfer family history) — Joseph Watson b. 21 Mar 1883, m. May Bailey of Hobart (piggery, Preston Vic, d. 1948)
  • Book: A Telfer Family Tree (Supplement 2008) — descendant tree, Watson line, Preston Vic
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