More about Alexander Lyle Watt

On 10th March 1915, Alexanders battalion was engaged in the battle of Neuve Chapelle. Alexander was in command of 2 Platoons from No2 Company, being employed as a working party, digging trenches and fortifying the extreme left of the Battalion position when he was killed.

Alexander Lyle Watt   Captain   Black Watch

DUNDEE OFFICER KILLED.

Captain A. L. Watt, of the 5th (Angus and Dundee) Black Watch (T.F.), was killed in action at the front on the 11th inst.

Captain Watt was a son of the late Mr George Watt, Sheriff-Clerk of Forfarshire, who resided at Broughty Ferry.  He was about 30 years of age, and a native of Dundee, where he was well known, particularly in legal circles.  He was educated at the Dundee High School and St Andrews University, where he studied law, though he did not graduate.  About ten years ago he began his apprenticeship in the office of Mr Christopher J. Bisset, the present Sherriff-Clerk of Forfarshire, who succeeded Captain Watt’s father on the latter’s death in 1904.  On Mr Bisset ceasing his private practice to take up his public appointment, Captain Watt completed his indentures with Messrs Menzies, Bruce, Low, & Robertson, W. S. Edinburgh.

Some time after being enrolled as a law agent, Captain Watt obtained an appointment with Messrs Robertson & Dempster, solicitors, Perth.  He remained in Perth until about two years ago, when the death of his mother, who  had lived in New Zealand after the death of her husband, took him to the Antipodes to wind up the family affairs.

So keen was his interest in military matters, however, that he retained his Captaincy in the 5th Black Watch while abroad, and was mobilised with the others of the battalion on the outbreak of war.  He was to late, however to go out with the unit to the front, and remained in Forfar till he took out a draft of reinforcements about a month ago.

The Broughty Ferry Guide 19th March 1915