18904 Private James McWatters 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
(Tyrone Volunteers)
No. 18904 Pte. James McWatters, 109th Infantry Brigade, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Tyrone Volunteers) 36th Ulster Division.
James was born on 7th December 1889 and lived at 27 Tyne Street Shankill Road Belfast before enlisting at the age of 24.
Although he lived in Belfast, it was common practice that once a Battalion had been filled, the extra men would be moved to another Battalion to make up the numbers, which is why James fought with the 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers who where mostly made up from Ulster Volunteer Force members from Tyrone.
His son Hayden McWatters tells us that James died at the age of 71 and also supplied us with the UVF Hospital booklet, that belonged to his father, which can be vewed in the UVF Hospital section of this website.
"This is the only picture I have of my father taken I think at the beginning of the second world war I have no idea where it was taken some training camp somewhere I know he bluffed his age and was caught out and served part of the war as an ARP warden we had some of his second war medals but unfortunatley they got lost moving house one time, I still have his 1st war medals and proudly wear them ....................................................each Remembrance Sunday."
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
WE WILL REMEMBER HIM
Ttribute created with the kind permission of Jame's son Hayden McWatters
. If you have any information concerning James McWtters, or would like to pay tribute to one of your relatives who fought with the 36th on a page like this, please contact info@belfastsomme.com putting "Hero" in the subject field
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