Billy Watson War Diaries

The following are extracts of the war letters written by Southport born Billy Watson of his life on the battlefields during WW1. Billy featured in our series a Sandgrounder before a Lion. At the pinnacle of his career having just won the F A Cup, 3 months later war broke out and was enlisted.

28 Mar 1917 “We got a team up last week and had a game against the Royal Field Artillery. Most of the boys played in uniforms, no football boots – so we did not do well and lost 5-3. The teams had to dress in the corner of a field; it reminds me of the old days back home. I think we’re well on the way to finishing this job. Of course everything is rough, but I’m getting on with it. I take everything as it comes and make the best of it”

22 Sept 1917 “Glad you are sending me a football; it’s a job getting hold of one here in France. A game cheers up the lads. I was sorry to hear Boyley [ Burnley’s 1914 FA Cup winning captain Tommy Boyle], fancy him getting shot so soon after coming over. It’s a matter of luck but hope it will not interfere with his football. Let’s hope we shall all meet again at home before long”

24 Oct 1917 “We have had a lot of terrible rain lately and makes the roads very hard to ride on. But we keep pulling through. ..talk about mud at Turf Moor, it is nothing compared to this. It can’t last forever. I see you got your first victory over Blackburn Rovers…I wish I was there to give you a lift, I could do with a good hard game”. How is Boyley getting on? he’s taken a bit of knocking, but those shells are a lot harder than a football”

28 Nov 1917 “It’s a sodden mess out here now. I still think there will be an immediate surrender by the Jerrys. [ The war was another year away from finishing]. You still seem to be having a bad time and poor gates back home but expect there are very few men at home to attend football. I was sorry to hear of Eddie Latheron’s death. He was a great player and fine chap. I am sure it must be a big blow to Blackburn,his poor wife and kiddies. Players like him will be hard to find after the war.”

22 Dec 1917 “I’m afraid Christmas will not be a good time at home as regards to food but over here we are not badly fixed. This life makes one get used to all sorts of things. I’ve forgotten what a decent fire looks like. The recent frost has made the roads very bad and its hard work staying on the motorbike. Sorry to hear the loss of Billy Pickering [a teammate] he had the making of a great player, when you lose someone you know it brings it all home.”

19 Jan 1918 “There seems to be talks of peace … I’m hoping to get leave shortly as its 14 months since I was last home”

28 Mar 1918 “We have been moving about very often recently that does not help things. I had a surprise last week we arranged a game with a Company and Joe Hodkinson of Blackburn played for their team. Anyhow we had a pleasant game and a chat with Joe afterwards. There was a lot of Burnley chaps there and I got quite a reception.”

14 Aug 1918 “I’m sure news in the papers lately will have cheered everyone up. I think we are well on the way to giving “Old Jerry” a good hiding”

28 Sept 1918 “Shocked to hear of the death of Mr Rudd he will be missed at Turf Moor. He had watched Darwen v Southport when I first met him and we had a few words after the match after the game. Which led me to signing for Burnley which I never regret”

21 Dec 1918 [Billy remained in France after the Armistice on the 11 Nov 1918 had been signed] “It was a heavy load lifted from everyone out here and at home. At the finish we are all delighted with the result with “Jerry” being smashed. The quietness now seems very strange; we can talk about nicer things such as being home for good.” Billy did not return from the War until February 1919, immediately resuming his career at Burnley then played for England against Ireland on the19 Oct 1919.

This article first appeared in the Sandgrounder matchday programme for the fixture on 11/11/2025 and is reproduced with kind permission of the author Kim Wood