John Philip Watson worked as a painter prior to enlisting into the Royal Artillery in March 1938, serving with a Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment.He served in the North African campaign and the liberation of Italy. After volunteering for airborne forces he qualified as a military parachutist in September 1944.

He served with C Company, 6th (Royal Welch) Parachute Battalion in Greece during the winter of 1944-45.

After the war he contracted a skin infection and was hospitalised at Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup. He returned to the Royal Artillery until his demobilisation, finishing his time on guard duty in Germany.