Lieutenant John Watson, of the Marlborough Mounted Rifles, was born at Dumgree station, in the Awatere, in the year 1877, and is the only son of Mr. John Watson, who is referred to in another article in this volume. He was educated in Blenheim, learned farming, and has since been engaged in agriculture, in coniunetion with his father at Spring Creek. Lieutenant Watson has been associated with volunteer corps from his boyhood. He was for some time a member of the Blenheim Borough School Cadets, and joined the Marlborough Mounted Rifles in the year 1895. Two years later, he was selected as a member of the Diamond Jubilee Contingent, and on his return to New Zealand was elected sergeant of the Marlborough Mounted Rifles. In 1900, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant-major, and in the year 1902 was elected lieutenant.