Russ Watson

For the opera singer, see Russell Watson.

Russ Watson
Personal information
Full name	Russell Henry Watson
Date of birth	(1892-12-26)26 December 1892
Place of birth	Moonee Ponds, Victoria
Date of death	15 November 1941(1941-11-15) (aged 48)
Place of death	East Melbourne, Victoria
Original team(s)	Melbourne Grammar School
Playing career^1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
1910	St Kilda	2 (1)
^1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1910.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Russell Henry Watson (26 December 1892 – 15 November 1941) was an Australian amateur middle distance champion, an Australian rules footballer, who played with St Kilda in the Victorian Football League (VFL),^[1] and a District Cricketer with the St Kilda Cricket Club (where he also served as its Vice-President).^[2]

Family

The son of Thomas Watson (1866-1925),^[3] and Flora Henrietta Watson (1874-1950), née Dowell,^[4][5] Russell Henry Watson was born at Moonee Ponds on 26 December 1892.^[6] He was the elder brother of Olympic and Empire Games athlete Alfred Joseph Watson (1907-1992).^[7] He married Freda Mildred Akhurst (1897-1979) on 20 August 1918.^[8] He died in East Melbourne on 15 November 1941.^[9]

Athlete

"One of the greatest all-round athletes Australia has ever produced",^[10] Watson held titles in the mile, half-mile, and 440 hurdles.^[11]

Military service

He served in the Firat AIF in the 6th Australian Field Ambulance.^[12][13]

Notes

1. Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2014). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers: every AFL/VFL player since 1897 (10th ed.). Seaford, Victoria: BAS Publishing. p. 929. ISBN 978-1-921496-32-5.
2. Russell Watson Dead, The Weekly Times, (Saturday, 22 November 1941), p.39.
3. Deaths: Watson, The Argus, (Monday, 22 June 1925), p.1
4. A Hide and Skin Trader's Estate: Family Contract to Carry On, The Age, (Wednesday, 9 December 1925), p.17.
5. Deaths: Watson, The Argus, (Tuesday, 30 May 1950), p.11.
6. Births: Watson, The (Melbourne) Leader, (Saturday, 14 January 1893), p.45.
7. Former Champion Runner Dead, The Mercury, (Monday, 17 November 1941), p.7.
8. Marriages: Watson—Akhurst, The Argus, (Saturday, 21 September 1918), p.13.
9. Deaths: Watson, The Age, (Monday, 17 November 1941), p.1; Mr. R. H. Watson, The Age, (Tuesday, 18 November 1941), p.6.
10. Russell Watson was Star Half-Miler: All-Round Sportsman, The Sporting Globe, (Wednesday, 19 November 1941), p.11.
11. 'Whip', "All-Round Athlete: Russell H. Watson", The (Melbourne) Herald, (Monday, 5 June 1911), p.2; Noted Runner Recalled: Russell Watson's Feats, The (Melbourne) Herald, (Saturday, 31 December 1921), p.5.
12. World War One Nominal Roll: Private Russell Henry Watson (3239).
13. World War One Service Record: Private Russell Henry Watson (3239).

External links

• Russ Watson's playing statistics from AFL Tables
• Russ Watson at AustralianFootball.com