Private Watson was born in 1777 and came from Watnall, Nottingham.  He was 5 feet and 6.5 inches tall, with blue eyes, fair complexion, light hair and was a shoemaker by trade.  He enlisted into the 45th Nottinghamshire Regiment in 1807 when aged 30 years and volunteered into the 1st Battalion on 10th July 1808.  James served in the Peninsular War of 1808-1814, being engaged in ten different battles for which he was later awarded the clasps for these battles.  He was wounded at the storming of the castle at Badajoz on 6th April 1812, when he was taken to the Field Hospital close by.  James was discharged on 6th November 1814.