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Four brothers killed in Great War

Updated: 3 days ago

The sacrifice of the Watherston family is considered one of the greatest regarding Australia's involvement in the Great War.


Their tragic story begins in 1896, where a strong westerly wind blows across the waters just off Boston Island, near Port Lincoln, South Australia. In a flat-bottomed boat, heading to a cutter, is married couple James and Isabella Watherston with one of their five sons.


James and Isabella Watherston. Courtesy Findagrave.


A heavy sea strikes their small dinghy, capsizing it and sending the three occupants overboard. The younger and more energetic son manages to make his way to shore. Sadly, James and Isabella drown. Their bodies are found clinging to each other and the boat when it washes ashore.


With this tragedy, nine children are left orphaned. They are Robert, Isabella, James, Edith, Edward, Cyril, Catherine, and baby Christina. A 10th child, Cranston, had died back in 1886 at the age of two. The couple had married 18 years earlier, in 1878. They owned property around Port Lincoln and were a well-respected couple and family.


Fast forward to a new century, and the Great War is raging overseas. Four of the Watherstone boys sign up to fight for their newly formed country. The first to enlist was Edward in August 1914. He left Adelaide with the 10th Battalion.


The second to follow was Frank, who joined the 11th Battalion in Western Australia in September. Cyril followed the next month, joining the 7th Light Horse Brigade.


Frank was sent to Gallipoli, where he received gunshot wounds. Eventually, he was transported to the 1st Australian Stationary Hospital on Lemnos Island. Tragically, he died on July 4th, 1915. Frank's body is buried in Greece at the East Mudros Military Cemetery.


Frank Watherston. Courtesy Findagrave
Frank Watherston. Courtesy Findagrave

By this stage, the fourth brother to enlist, who was married with children, was James. He signed up in October 1915, knowing that Frank had been killed. Despite this, he was assigned to the 13/12th Infantry Battalion.


In June 1916, Cyril, serving as a driver, was killed in action in the field in France. He was buried at the military cemetery, Rue du Bois in Armentieres, France.


The tragedy continued to unfold. Only two months after Cyril's death, Edward was reported missing in the field in France. He would not be declared dead until the following year after a court of inquiry. There was no evidence of a body.


Cyril Watherston.
Cyril Watherston.

James also went missing in action in August 1916 while in France. Again, it would not be until a court of inquiry had been held that he would be declared dead a year later. Unlike Edward, however, his body was found, as there is evidence he was buried in the Courcelette British Cemetery, Albert, France.


One can only imagine the heartache the sisters, remaining brother, and wife of James suffered as the telegrams kept coming. To rub salt into a failed hope, it would not be confirmed until 1917 that all four brothers had died.




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