Thomas Arthur Watterson was born in Toxteth, Liverpool on 27th January 1891, the son of John and Clara Watterson.  On leaving school he joined the Merchant Marine and completed a four-year apprenticeship.

In 1914 he was 3rd Mate in SS  Anselm of the Booth Line.  He held a Masters ticket for both sail and steam.  He was appointed as a probationary sub Lieutenant RNR on 3 July 1914 and joined the Royal Navy on 12 August 1914.

He served as the navigating officer of HMS E2, later serving in HMS J4 and K4 (as Navigating Officer). He was awarded the DSC for “long and arduous service in submarines in 325 days at sea on patrol during 40 crusies of over 5000 miles. He took part in all the actions in E2 in the Sea of Marmora”

Thomas Watterson died when K4 was sunk in the Firth of Forth on the night of 31 January/1 February 1918 following a collision with HMS K6.

He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval War Memorial on Panel No 30.