James Gibb Watson

James Gibb Watson was born on the 12th January 1881 in Larkhall, Lanarkshire. He lived at Thistle Cottage in Larkhall with his father, William Watson (1844-1883), who worked as a Grocer, his mother Jane (Jeanie) Watson (nÃ©e Gibb) and his older brother, William, and older sister, Margaret.

Memorial chapel at the University of Glasgow — The Memorial Chapel at the University of Glasgow

James enrolled at University of Glasgow in 1899, and completed three years here, graduating MA in 1902. He also enrolled at Jordanhill Teacher Training. As he was training to be a Teacher, he studied a range of subjects at his time in University, and passed them all. He seems to have had a particular gift for French Language and Literature; earning a First Class Certificate for the subjects in his final year.

After leaving University, he took up a teaching post at Dalziel High School in Motherwell. He taught there for thirteen years, and was â€˜popular alike with teachers and scholarsâ€™.

James joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in August 1915. He fought for over a year on the Front before being killed in action on the 14th November, 1916. Sub-Lieutenant James Gibb Watson is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He was unmarried and left behind no children. His name appears on the University of Glasgow Roll of Honour, the Evening Timesâ€™ Roll of Honour, and on a memorial for the students and graduates of Jordanhill who fell in the war.