Joseph Watson, son of William and Margaret Watson, of Waterside, Daewen, Lancashire, enlisted into The East Yorkshire Regiment and then volunteered for the airborne forces.Private Watson undertook parachute training on course number 59 at RAF Ringway from 5 to 16 April 1943. His course report stated ‘Very good worker and good team man in stick jumping. Very good.’ He was posted to to B Company the 6th (Royal Welch) Parachute Battalion.

He took part in the amphibious landings in Italy in September 1943, on board a mine layer, HMS Abdiel. Unfortunately, HMS Abdiel struck a mine in Taranto Harbour causing significant casualties and loss of life, including Pte Watson.

Pte Watson died at sea on 10 September 1943, aged 20.

He is commemorated on the Cassino Memorial.