The passing of Private Albert Watson in the Cook Hospital this morning removed one -who had a fine record of service with the colours and one who had the uncommon distinction of serving in each of the three lighting services. Born in Bristol, England, 46 years ago, he was later married to Miss Agnes McElney in Belfast, Northern Ireland. At the outbreak of the Great War he immediately joined the Royal Navy and served for five years as an able seaman gunner. In August. 1921, he joined the Royal Corps of Signals as a disnatch rider and served in Northern Ireland until August, 1923. June 1940, found him a private in the National Military Reserve in New Zealand, and in July, 1942, he was transferred .to the New Zealand Temporary Staff, where he was in the quartermaster’s stores until he applied for a transfer to the Royal New Zealand Air Force. He served in the air force for a few weeks until he underwent a medical examination and was found unfit. On his return to the army he took ill and was admitted to the Cook Hospital, where he was until his death. He leaves his wife to mourn her loss. A service will be held. at the deceased’s late residence, Disraeli street, at 2 p.m. to-morrow, after which the funeral will leave for the Soldiers’ Plot at the Taruheru cemetery.

GISBORNE HERALD, VOLUME LXX, ISSUE 21115, 8 JUNE 1943, PAGE 2