North Toowoomba junior player Douglas Graham Watson claimed to be 18 when he enlisted in May 1917 with his cousin Edward Hillocks. It appears Watson lied about his age on his enlistment papers, with a Darling Downs Gazette article after the war claiming the cousins sailed into Glasgow on his 18th birthday.
They trained at Codford Camp near Salisbury at which point Watson was transferred to the 49th Battalion. He was marched out to France in May 2018. He took part in the Hundred Day offensive, when the 49th firstly attacked Bray, and later, after being rotated out, formed part of the attack on the Hindenburg Line. The Australian forces were again withdrawn following heavy losses but saw no more action before Armistice Day.
A week after the armistice, Watson was sent to hospital with a septic hand which required an operation. A fitter by trade he was assigned to the Australian base workshops at Jewmont until departing for Australia in August 1919. His arrival coincided with a large party on his 20th birthday.
Watson re-joined North Toowoomba for the 1920 season and later played for Rangers.