Constable
William WATSON
YEAR OF DEATH
1856
JURISDICTION
Tasmania
DETAILS OF DEATH
William Watson was a police Constable stationed on the remote Slopen Island, on the Western Shores of the Tasman Peninsula. His role was to watch for convicts attempting to escape from the notorious Port Arthur Penal Settlement.
Henry Raynor was employed as an Overseer on the island. After being absent about five or six days, a search was commenced and the body of Constable Watson was found on the beach, covered over with kelp, and exhibiting severe wounds and a cut on the head. The overseer was apprehended, and found sewn into the lining of trousers found in his possession were some cheques in the name of the deceased constable.
