Maurice George Watts

Story:
Maurice George Watts was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 21st September 1898, the son of Harry Gilbert George Watts and Rose Katherine Watts (nee Highman).  He spent all his early life in and around Shaftesbury and, for a period, at the Ship Inn, 1 High Street, Shaftesbury, where his father was the licensee.   He enlisted with the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 55020) later transferring to the 2/4th battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 30144).  He was discharged on 17th February 1920 and awarded the Victory and British War medals.  The 1921 Census shows him living back at the Ship Inn, Shaftesbury, working as a Tailor's Apprentice for Pryce & Barrible, Sporting Tailors of Shaftesbury.  He married Doris Louise Olive Payton on the Isle of Wight, Hampshire, in 1930.   By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Capri, Bellevue Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, and was described as the Manager and Cutter of a Naval Tailor as well as being a Special Constable.  He died on the Isle of Wight in 1973.