Roll of Honor
Incident
Special Constable Watson had previously served twenty-five years with Wolverhampton Borough Police before retiring four years earlier.
Following the declaration of war, and the loss of police officers to the military, John responded to a call for men to join the Special Constabulary but died on duty the day after being sworn in.
He was born in Ruabon, Denbighshire and was survived by his wife and three children.
Survivors
He was born in Ruabon, Denbighshire and was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-GB-WBP-F280A6D8- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 8, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Constable Watson served with the Wolverhampton Borough Police.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Constable Watson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Constable John Watkin Watson is one of 2,974 officers lost to illness connected to their service across the full record of this memorial — 9.1% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In ENG, 719 of 2,827 officers were lost to illness connected to their service — 25.4% of this state's fallen. That is 16.3 percentage points above the national rate of 9.1%.
At Wolverhampton Borough Police, 3 of 6 officers on record were lost to illness connected to their service — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Illness compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Watkin Watson's cause is highlighted.
How John Watkin Watson Compares
When Illness Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Illness deaths across the full memorial record. John Watkin Watson is highlighted in May.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Wolverhampton Borough Police are honored on badge.nw.
