George Watson (mayor)

Mayor of Brisbane (1892)

George Watson

George Watson - 1892

24th Mayor of Brisbane
In office
1892–1892
Preceded by| John Allworth Clark
Succeeded by| John McMaster
Personal details
Born|

George Watson

(1852-04-11)11 April 1852
Glasgow, Scotland
Died| 21 June 1923(1923-06-21) (aged 71)
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Resting place| Toowong Cemetery
Spouse| Harriett Barnes (m.1877 d.1926)
Occupation| Plumber

George Watson (1852–1923) was mayor of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia in 1892.

## Personal life

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George Watson was born in Glasgow, Scotland on 11 April 1852, the son of George Watson, senior, and his wife Elizabeth (née Lindsay).[1] Aged 10 years old, he immigrated to Brisbane on the ship Ocean Chief with his father. He attended the Brisbane Normal School.[2]

George Watson married Harriett Barnes, daughter of John Barnes and his wife Lydia (née Allwood), on 7 November 1877 in Brisbane.[1] The couple had nine children:

* Elizabeth Lucy (1879–1949)[1]
* Henry Thomas (1880–1883)[1]
* James Francis (1882–1967)[1]
* Gertrude Matilda (1884–1957, Mrs Whyte)[1]
* Lydia Beatrice (1886–1960, Mrs Eldred)[1]
* Daisy Lilian (1888–1978, Mrs Wyllie)[1]
* Helen Evelyn (1889–1905)[1]
* George (1891–1964)[1]
* Norman Mayor (1893–1918)[1]

Their son Norman Mayor Watson was a lance corporal in the Australian Imperial Forces in World War I and was killed in action on 5 April 1918. He was buried in Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension, near Albert, France.[3]

George Watson died of pneumonia after a short illness on the evening of Thursday 21 June 1923. .[1][2] He was buried in Toowong Cemetery. His widow Harriett died in 1926.[1]

## Business life

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At age 13 was apprenticed as a plumber to his father. When his father retired in 1880, the business was taken over by George and his brothers Thomas, James and John Douglas.[2]

## Public life

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George Watson was an alderman of Brisbane from 1891 to 1896 (East Ward) and was elected mayor on Saturday 6 February 1892.[4] Due to the need for continuing leadership during severe flooding, his term was extended in 1893 (normally a new election for mayor would have occurred in early 1893).[2]

He served on the following committees:[5]

* Finance Committee 1891, 1893–95
* Legislative Committee 1891, 1893–95
* Works Committee 1892, 1896
* Health Committee 1892
* Street Lighting Committee 1892
* Parks Committee 1896

Perhaps reflecting his trade as a plumber, George Watson was passionate about the importance of introducing a sewerage system into Brisbane.[6]

## See also

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* List of mayors and lord mayors of Brisbane

## References

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1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Queensland Index of Births, Deaths & Marriages
2. ^ a b c d "MR. GEORGE WATSON". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 23 June 1923. p. 8. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
3. ^ "Watson, Norman Mayor". CWGC – Casualty Details. Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
4. ^ "TO-DAY, FEBRUARY 8". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 8 February 1892. p. 4. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
5. ^ Brisbane City Council Archives
6. ^ "LETTERS TO EDITOR". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 28 January 1893. p. 6. Retrieved 21 October 2012.