William Watson

Bank: Ulster Bank

Place of work: Head Office, Belfast

Died: 31 August 1944

William Ernest Watson was born on 4 October 1919, the son of Thomas Edward Watson, a shipwright, and his wife Jane. In April 1939 he went to work for Ulster Bank at its head office in Belfast.

Two years later, in April 1941, Watson left the bank to go on war service, joining the Royal Armoured Corps. By 1941 he held the rank of Lieutenant and was serving in Italy. He was killed in action there on 31 August 1944. He was 25 years old. 

William Watson is commemorated on two memorials at Ulster Bank’s Belfast head office: its roll of honour for staff who served in the Second World War and its memorial for those who fell.