WATKINS, William Albert

William Watkins was born in Oldswinford and was the son of Mr and Mrs Watkins, who moved to Cowdenbeath, Fifeshire, where they lived at 4 Wemyss Street. William Watkins attended Stambermill CE School and enlisted in the King's Own Scottish Borderers. He went to the 2nd Battalion in the 5th Division which was closely engaged in all the main battles on the Western Front from 1914. In April 1917 they were at Vimy Ridge and were in the second line in the success of the first battle of Arras on the 9th April. The German forces were severely defeated but mounted a major counter-attack on the 8th May. The Scottish took many casualties including Lance Corporal William Watkins who was killed on this day. He was 23 years of age and is commemorated on the Arras and Stambermill school Memorials.