Kenneth Robert Watson
Remembering the fallen: From White Oaks to World War I
D.K. Ikard, Guest contributor Published 1:06 p.m. MT May 23, 2016
Kenneth Robert Watson was born in White Oaks, New Mexico May 16, 1896. His parents were William Watson, one of the owners of the Old Abe Gold Mine, and Alice Maud Lund Watson, a small-framed Canadian born woman. Kenneth’s middle name was given in honor of his maternal grandfather, Robert E. Lund, a minister and gold miner also living in White Oaks during Kenneth’s childhood.
Looking over the family photo collection it is clear to see that life in White Oaks during the gold boom was simple and splendid at the same time; the photos of the Watsons give a glimpse into life during the gold mining era.
Mr. Watson was a gold miner and an attorney that worked from a small building in town called the Watson-Lund Law Office. The Watson family lived in a large, nicely furnished home; they were always dressed in proper attire for the time.
Kenneth was the younger of the Watson’s two children, his older brother was Roy. Growing up in White Oaks, Kenneth and Roy often took picnics with their mother, riding wild burros up into the mountains. The family pet was a large Saint Bernard dog that accompanied the boys on short trips to the lumber yard with their father. Kenneth and Roy had many friends. Their favorite playmates were their cousins Ethel and Guy Lund, who lived in White Oaks, and their cousins Cecil and Don Bonney, who lived in nearby Roswell.
In June 1917, Kenneth along with his brother Roy and cousins Cecil, Don and Guy were all drafted by the U.S. Military to serve in World War I. All but Kenneth survived the War. Kenneth Robert Watson was 1 of 23 men drafted from Lincoln County, New Mexico to die or be killed serving his country during the First World War.
Kenneth was a machinist’s mate in the Navy when he suffered life threatening injuries. While returning from Brazil and Cuba, he was gravely injured by a boiler explosion while in the line of duty at Newport News, Virginia, while temporarily docked. He died Sunday morning, March 2, 1919, at Saint Luke’s Hospital in New York City; he was just 22 years old.
Kenneth was laid to rest in South Park Cemetery in Roswell, New Mexico near his beloved grandparents, Reverend Robert E. Lund and Saphrona Lund, who spent their twilight years living in Roswell after the White Oaks gold mining era.
This picture shows Kenneth Watson, his dog and 3 others in his backyard. In the background, you can make out a billboard sign above store on far right which is Paul Mayer’s Livery Hay & Grain see picture below
