Forename: Harold William Thomas
Surname: Watkins
Rank: Private
Regiment: The Gordon Highlanders
Institution: St Paul’s Practising School
Harold William Thomas Watkins was born on 26 July 1913. He attended St Paul’s Practising School from August 1920 – July 1927, living at 11 Hanover Parade with his parents Thomas and Annie. Harold later worked at Gloucestershire Cooperative and Wholesale Society. He lived with his wife Alice and two sons at 2 Lower Park Street, Cheltenham. Harold was conscripted into the army in 1942, becoming a Private in the 6th Battalion The Gordon Highlanders.
He was fighting in Italy when he was killed on 24 August 1944 aged 31. Harold is buried in Florence War Cemetery where his headstone reads “Died as he lived, Beloved by all, Remembered always, By mother and father”.