Robert Watters was listed on Panel Two of the World War One memorial in Coagh Orange Hall to those who served. Robert’s brother, Kennedy Watters, is also listed.
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The Coagh Presbyterian Church in Ireland Roll of Honour 1914-1919 lists a Private Watters of Albany who served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
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Robert White Watters was the son of John and Sarah Watters. John Watters and Sarah White were married on 29th January 1885 in the district of Cookstown.
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Robert Watters was born on 19th September 1891 in the Stewartstown area, probably in the Albany area. He was one of eleven children, all born in the Stewartstown area.
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Known family: John Watters, Sara L Watters, Ella Sophie Watters (born 19th October 1885), William Watters (born 13th February 1887), Hugh Henry Watters (born 02/09/1888), Robert Watters (born 5th May 1890), John White Watters (born 19th September 1891), Charles Leslie Watters (born 3rd April 1893), Ethel Rebecca Watters (born 18th October 1894), Maud Minnie Watters (born 1st May 1897), Sara J Watters (born 6th May 1898), Kennedy Watters (born 11th June 1900), Agnes Watters (born 6th September 1902).
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The 1901 census lists Robert age 10, living with the family at house 4 in Tamnavally, Killycolpy, County Tyrone. John Watters was a farmer.
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The 1911 census does not list Robert as living with the family at house 7 in Tamnavally, Killycolpy, Ardboe. They were a farming family.
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Robert Watters emigrated to Canada.
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Prior to enlisting, Robert lived at 424 Notre Dame Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He was employed as a clerk. He had previously served with the 100th Grenadiers.
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He was married. Catherine Watters lived at 86 Spence Street, Winnipeg. They had no children at that time.
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Robert Watters enlisted on 23rd February 1916 in Winnipeg. He listed his next-of-kin as his wife.
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On 3rd October 1916, after training, Private Watters sailed from Halifax with his unit for England.
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On 28th October 1916 he was take on strength.
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In March 1917 he went to the front in France.
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Private Robert Watters was in France five months when in August when he noticed dizziness in exertion. He became gradually weaker.
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On 15th September he fainted and was unconscious for two hours. He was sent to No 26 General Hospital in Etaples. His suffered from swelling present to the face and body, stomach sick and headaches. He was diagnosed with nepatitis.
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He was removed to England and from 10th October until 31st October 1917 he was treated at the War Hospital in Guildford.
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He was then transferred to Canada Red Cross Special Hospital, Bubby Park where he spent the next five months.
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He was declared medically unfit and invalided to Canada 6th May 1918.
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The Winnipeg addresses lists on his military documents include: 397 Simcoe Street,
444 Alexander Avenue and 454 Spence Street.
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