Frank was a brother of the three Watt men who died in the First World War. Frank married Beatrice ‘May’ Smith who was related to Brigden family.
Frank had a dairy at ‘Rocky Hill’ which is on the left just out out Gulgong going to Barneys Reef. At one stage, his parents, Espie and Jane Watt lived there, though Espie may have died before. Espie had worked as a manager for the Rouse family.
Frank and May moved to Glenorie after which the dairy property was owned by the Donnelys and later by Sid Smith.
Source: Barbara GurneyNEWS ITEMS
1906 - Gulgong, Friday.
Yesterday Mr. Frank Watt found a nugget of gold weighing 2oz 6dwt on the Mudgee road. He saw it from a cart, and sold the nugget for £9.
Source: Goulburn Evening Penny Post (NSW : 1881 - 1940) Sat 6 Oct 1906 Page 4 1906 - BREVITIES
Gold still has a casual way of turning up at Gulgong. On Thursday last Mr. Frank Watt was driving a cart on the Mudgee road contemplatively surveying its beaten surface, when he was awakened from his reverie by a dull glitter which at once aroused his curiosity. Dismounting from his dray he picked up a slug of pure water worn gold. It weighed 2oz. 6dts and he sold it for £9.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Mon 8 Oct 1906 Page 21907 - Wedding at Gulgong
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 27 Jun 1907 Page 12The wedding was celebrated in the Methodist Church Gulgong, on Wednesday morning, 26th instant, of Mr. Alexander Watt, of Tambar Springs, and Miss Alma Marion Burnett, of Gulgong. Mr. Frank Watt, brother of the bridegroom, was best man, and Miss Jessie Watt, sister of the bridegroom, was bridesmaid. The Rev. F. J. Branch, of Mudgee, was the officiating clergyman. We might mention that the bride was made the recipient of a silver teapot by the members of the Gulgong Methodist Church, and was also presented with a teacher's bible by the Sunday School scholars.
1907 - WATT—BURNETT.
Source: The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 - 1930) Mon 1 Jul 1907 Page 5At the Methodist Church, Gulgong, on Wednesday morning, Alexander Watt, of Tambar Springs, third son of Mr. Espie Watt, of Gulgong, was married to Alma Marrion, stepdaughter of Mr. John Buckley. Rev. F. J. Branch (Mudgee) performod the ceremony. The church was decorated with ferns and evergreens, and a wedding bell. The service was fully choral; the organist was Miss M'Call. The bride, who was given away by her stepfather, was attired in white silk, trimmed with lace and insertion, true lovers' knot, and spray of orange blossoms on bodice, elbow sleeves, skirt tucked with vandyke insertion and lace, silk chiffon sash; hat trimmed with white satin ribbon, orange blossoms, and lily of the valley. She wore a gold watch and chain, gold brooch (gifts of the bridegroom), and carried a bouquet (gift of the choir). Miss Jessie Watt (sister of the bridegroom) and Miss Mary Buckley (sister of the bride) were the bridesmaids, in cream voile, trimmed with Paris lace and insertion, blue silk sash, white felt hat, trimmed with blue silk. Their gold brooches were gifts of the bridegroom. Mr. Frank Watt was best man. The bridal party sat down to the wedding breakfast at the residence of the bride's step father. Rev. F. J. Branch, on behalf of some of the bride's friends, presented her with a silver teapot. The school teachers and scholars gave her a Bible. After the usual toast list, the happy couple left for their future home at Tambar Springs. The bride's going-away costume was grey clotb, trimmed with cardinal velvet; hat to match.
Private W. T. Watt, who enlisted from Gulgong only about four months ago, has been killed in action in Galllpoll. The fallen soldier was 26 years of age. He mostly followed the occupation of a station hand. He was born at Slapdash, and is the first Gulgong-born person to be killed at the war. Private Watt was unmarried. His mother (Mrs. E. Watt) resides in Mayne Street, Gulgong. Mr. W. A. Watt and Mr. Frank Watt, of Gulgong, are brothers, and Mrs. R. Campbell, of Trilby, is a sister.
1932 - PERSONAL
Mr. Robert Watt, of Tamworth, formerly of Queensland (brother of Mr. W. A. Watt, of Gulgong) was married to Miss Florence Rawlings at the William-street Methodist Church, Sydney, last week. Mr. Frank Watt, of Glenorie (brother) was best man. It is Mr. and Mrs. Watt's intention to reside in the Tamworth district.
Mr. Robert Watt, of Tamworth, formerly of Queensland (brother of Mr. W. A. Watt, of Gulgong) was married to Miss Florence Rawlings at the William-street Methodist Church, Sydney, last week. Mr. Frank Watt, of Glenorie (brother) was best man. It is Mr. and Mrs. Watt's intention to reside in the Tamworth district.
1936 - PERSONAL
Messrs. Frank Watt (Parramatta district) and Alex. Watt (Hurstville), brothers of Mr. W. A. Watt, of Gulgong, arrived in Gulgong a few days ago owing to the serious illnes of their mother, who is at present at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. R. Campbell, of 'Trilby,' Gulgong.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 10 Dec 1936 Page 121942 - GULGONG PERSONAL
A.C.1 D. Watt, R.A.A.F., son of Mr. A. F. Watt, late of Gulgong, is reported dangerously ill in an Air Force hospital in this State. Don is a nephew of Mr. W. A. Watt and cousin of Mr. A. J. Brigden and Mr. R. C. Brigden. Mr. A. F. Watt, it will be remembered, resided at Rocky Hill Dairy, now owned by Mr. J. Donnelly.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 24 Sep 1942 Page 16
1943 - GULGONG PERSONAL
Mr. Frank Watt, of Glenorie, who was a visitor to Gulgong last Tuesday to attend the funeral of his brother. Mr. W. A. Watt, reports that conditions in the orcharding line are better than they have been for some time past. The man power problem is acute though, and in his case the absence of his two boys, Donald (In the R.A.A.F.) and Fred, (who recently returned from the Middle East, and is now in New Guinea), coupled with the recent illness of his wife, further accentuates the position. Mr. Watt for some years lived in Gulgong and conducted the Rocky Hill dairy. His wife will be remembered as Miss May Smith, also of Gulgong.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 15 Jul 1943 Page 17
A Gulgongite at present residing in Sydney pays this tribute to the late Mr. W. A. Watt: "All the years that I resided in Gulgong I at all times had a great admiration for him and everything he stood for and had done for the town and its people. No one could have failed to respect him; he seemed to me to be one of nature's gentlemen."
1943 - Gulgong Loses an Esteemed Citizen - Mr. William A. Watt Passes On
The wonderful array of floral tributes (despite their apparent scarcity at this time of the year) in evidence at the funeral of the late Mr. William A. Watt on Tuesday morning last bore testimony to the love and respect that he had engendered in the hearts of his very many friends. Expressions of sympathy with the bereaved widow and family, and of regret, were heard on every hand when it became known on the previous Sunday that this fine old gentleman had gone to his rest after a lifetime of 75 years spent almost entirely in or around the Gulgong district.
During his life Mr. Watt had built up a reputation for honest and straightforward dealing, and his council and judgment was well respected by all who knew him.
A native of Coolah, where his parents (the late Mr. and Mrs. Espie Watt) resided for a time, during a period of years lived at the following localities: Piambong, Pyramul, Mudgee, Coolah and Gulgong. Mr. Watt first entered the employ of Seaton's butchery in Mudgee in a minor capacity. Coming to Gulgong later, he worked in turn for Blanchard's butchery, in the shop still standing in Herbert Street (opposite Riley Newman's store), and then for Charmon's butchery in Mayne Street, on the present site of the Gulgong Advertiser' office. Whilst at Charmon's, the business changed hands, the new owners being named Bonds. Subsequently, Mr. Watt, then only 23 years of age, purchased the business from the new owner and set up for himself, and, later on, when the rival butchery next door (on the site of what is now Mulley's) was to be bought, he acquired it and carried on in the new premises, which became to be known until comparatively recent, times as Watt's Butchery.
Indifferent health about this time compelled a relinquishing of business for a time, and Mr. Tom Wade bought the business, whilst Mr. Watt spent some time in Sydney, later returning and taking up farming pursuits. Cecil and Espie, sons of the deceased, again took over the business from Mr. Wade, and carried on till recent years.
Early in life, Mr. Watt met and married Miss Maud Clark, a member of another well-known and respected district family. In this he showed good judgment, and his choice was a wise one, for in all things he had the help and encouragement of his wife.
It is interesting to note that had deceased lived till October next Mr. and Mrs. Watt would have celebrated the 50th anniversary of their wedding.
It is not, perhaps, generally known that at the age of 28 years Mr. Watt was the baby alderman of the Gulgong Municipal Council, and though sought as mayor on several occasions declined owing to ill-health.
A member of the hospital committee, Mr. Watt was one of those who opposed the present hospital site as against a site proposed near Flirtation Hill (near where Mr. Tom Uptom's home now stands), and was on the committee when the present hospital was built.
The original document, which was in the hands of the writer only this year, also shows that Mr. Watt's name was among the original signatories the request of local citizens for the establishment of a Methodist Church at Gulgong.
Keenly interested in agricultural and pastoral pursuits, Mr. Watt was a member of the local A. and P. Society for some years, and the donor of a fine cup for best commercial wool in an annual fleece competition.
The Watt family of five sons and two daughters, viz., Cecil and Espie (deceased), Ken, Lester and Gilbert, and Ruby (Mrs. G. S. Watts, Casino) and Anne (Mrs. A. Heaton, given their parents by following closely the wise counsels given them by father and mother. The eldest son, Cecil, enlisted in the A.I.F. in the last great war, and Ken and Gilbert are at present on active service with the second A.I.F. in this great struggle. Lester is maintaining the home front, and is a member of the local fire brigade and war agricultural committee, whilst Anne is matron of Bowral District Hospital, and Ruby wife of the well-known Anglican cleric, Rev. G. S. Watts,
Beside the sorrowing - widow and family, deceased leaves the following brothers and sisters, who will remember his brotherly affection: — Sisters: Clara (Mrs. Robert Campbell, sen., Trilby), Agnes (Mrs. N. McWilliam, Sydney), Jessie (Mrs. A. Wilson, Sydney). Brothers: Mr. Mr. Frank Watt (Glenorie), Robert (Tamworth), Alex. (Penshurst), Harold (Queensland). Three other brothers lost their lives in the Great War, viz., Archibald, Walter and Frederick.
At the service in the Methodist Church, prior to the funeral, Rev. H. T. Roberts said of the deceased:
'We are gathered here in God's House to pay our last respects to the late William Watt. There is no need for me to refer to the sterling character of our departed brother. The presence of so many friends in this church to-day is sufficient evidence of the high esteem in which he was held. He was a devoted father and husband and was a respected citizen of this community. The days of our years are three score years and ten, and Mr. Watt had lived beyond the allotted span of life. To those who mourn his going I would say: "There is no death. What we call death is but the entrance into a larger life of fellowship with God. To-day you are conscious of a loss, but in time you will realise that God knows best, and your loved one is safe with Him. Some day we shall meet those whom we love who are now beyond our reach. May God bless and comfort you in this your hour of need."
Two district officers and four Past Grand members of Loyal Happy Valley Lodge of the Manchester Unity Oddfellows, of which Mr. Watt was a member of many years standing, acted as pall-bearers immediately following the service at the graveside conducted in the Methodist portion of the Gulgong General Cemetery by Rev. Roberts, the Deputy District Grand Master, Bro. Fred. Taylor, read the lodgeservice, and members paid their homage to the memory of their brother Oddfellow.
Funeral arrangements were in the hands of Gulgong Motor Funerals.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 15 Jul 1943 Page 16
Under the title of 'Honeymoon in Hospital,' a photo, of Mr Donald Watt, of Glenorie; and formerly of Gulgong, appeared in the city press. Donald is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Watt; of Glenorie, and a relative of the Watt family, of Gulgong, and also the Brigdens, of the same town. The photo, showed Donald, sitting, in a hospital bed, and the following information appeared along with it:—
"Bad luck.— Mr. Donald Watt, poultry farmer, of Glenorie, who badly fractured his leg when his horse fell on him on his wedding eve, left his bed in Parramatta Hospital last Saturday to attend a church at Oatley, where, on crutches, he married Miss Joyce Spies, then taken to the reception and back to the hospital."
1950 - GULGONG PERSONAL
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Watt, of Glenorie, have been visiting relatives in the Gulgong district. The former is a brother of Mr. Robert Campbell. Mrs. Watt is a daughter and Mr. and Mrs. G. Smith, one time residents of Coming Event, Gulgong.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 23 Feb 1950 Page 19
The death of a Gulgong district native, Mr. Harold Watt, of Home Hill (North Q'land) occurred recently.
Deceased left a widow and grown up family to mourn their loss. The late Mr. Watt was a brother of Mr. Frank Watt (Glenorie), Mrs. R. J. Campbell (Gulgong district) and the late Mr. W. A. Watt (Gulgong). Mr. Lester Watt, of Gulgong, is a nephew.
