Robert Reginald Perry Watson

Robert “Perry” was born on the family farm, a few miles east of Acton at Lot 26, Conc 4 in the Township of Esquesing on November 22, 1893 to Robert Watson and Mary Jane Perryman. Perry was the youngest of the family. He attended Bannockburn and Acton Schools.

He enlisted in the Army (Regular Force) on January 11 1916 in Georgetown, traveling overseas in 1917 and serving with the 4th CMG Battalion and the 164th Battalion CEF in Belgium and France. Robert was admitted to hospital on September 27 1918, and by September 28, 1918 his military file states that he is “feeling better” and on October 10, 1918 his file notes “claims he has epileptic convulsions from time to time, cannot find any evidence”. Robert was discharged from service on June 6, 1919 and returned home to Acton.

A newspaper clipping from the Orangeville Banner dated September 11, 1919 reported that “Messrs. Hubert Mann and Perry have purchased the business of the Acton Creamery Company and after September 15 will operate the business as the Acton Creamery and Dairy Company”. The 1921 Census of Canada shows Robert living with his parents at the home they owned on Church St (number 44). His father was listed as a farmer, and he was identified as working at a creamery.

Identifying himself as a “dairyman” on his marriage certificate, Robert married Elizabeth Isabel Elliot of Nelson Township, County of Halton in Acton on April 20th 1922. By 1931 the Canadian Census shows Robert living on Church St., with his wife Isabel and their eight-year-old son Thomas. Robert’s occupation was listed as milkman and he owned his own dairy.

Throughout the years Perry built up the Watson Dairy in Acton and added to the business the Watson Restaurant and Dairy Bar, with the assistance of his wife and their son Tom, upon his return from service in the Second World War. According to Findagrave.com, Robert died on April 1, 1949 of “general carcinomatosis, primary cancer of the sigmoid colon”. Reportedly, the story within the Watson family was that he had been gassed during his service overseas and it is believed that it was the mustard gas which ultimately caused the cancer that killed him.

Upon his death, the write-up in the Acton Free Press stated “Perry was popular with young and old in the community. The children from all ages in the community liked him and many who knew him found particular delight in his company and friendship. Perry was a member of the Acton Branch of the Canadian Legion and a Past Master of Walker Lodge, A.F. & A.M. and took a keen interest in all community affairs”.

According to his family, after he died, Isabel would get very upset when talking about him and so the family did not hear much about him.

Robert “Perry” is buried at Fairview Cemetery in Acton.

Truly a Canadian Hero. His story lives on. *Information partially provided by John Watson and also obtained from Ancestry.ca, Findagrave.com and Newspapers.com