Pig iron
He was born in Kings Road, North Ormesby the eldest of four children - Frank Watson (1880), Allan (1883), Edward (1885), and Amy Maria (1887-1942). His father, Thomas (1851-1939) was Clerk and Bookkeeper at the local Pig iron works. His mother, Jane née Coates (1851-1907), was in poor health but dealt with his early education and he attended the local Public Elementary School in North Ormesby. In 1887 he went to Derwent Street Board School and then in 1893 'The Higher Grade School' that had just opened, later known as 'The Hugh Bell [Higher Grade] School' with his brother Allan, on the corner of Albert Road and Grange Road in Middlesbrough.