John William Black

Who is he you may well ask.   He was the first NZ soldier to be charged with being court marshalled in WW1.   He went on leave, but got waylaid for 17 days before he joined his company.   He was charged with being AWOL and the charge was to be court marshalled.   He joined the front line with his company and was killed.   He is buried at Messines, Belgium in a commonwealth cemetery and his grave stone has John William Black as the name.   BUT in fact, his name is Henry Watson, a great uncle of mine and my sisters and brothers (and cousins...).   The photo above is of a medal his family received.

John William were the names of a brother of his, that had died as a youngster.   The name Black...is a mystery.   A little like the man.