Age 32. 35 Orkney Road, Brighton (Boston), MA (lodging at 39 Riverview Road, Rocky Hill, CT). Born on 3/31/1910, in Medford, MA. Died of burns (death certificate). Ship Fitter, 2nd class, U.S. Naval Reserve. Was on a two-week leave from the Advanced Base Depot, Gulfport, MS. To the club with his companion Miss Ruth Reid, age 28, of Stafford Springs, CT, dead. Appeared on early published casualty lists under the erroneous name "C.H. Watson." Error was explained in the Hartford Courant, Hartford, CT, 11/29/1942: "Watson was first identified as his brother, Charles H. Watson...as he was wearing the latter's watch" (his older brother was not present). A sister-in-law, Mrs. Helen Watson, age 28 (Born 10/15/1914. Died on 11/17/1943, in Brighton, MA), wife of another brother, Louis, survived the blaze (was not reported if her spouse was also in attendance). The identity of his remains was confirmed by the U.S. Navy through clothing and his military "dog tag." Was single. Was a graduate of Brookline, MA, High School in 1928 (classmate of a victim in a separate party, Paul Carbone, Jr., age 33, until the latter transferred to a private school). Was known by his middle name "Eldridge" through the '30 federal census (at age 19), by his birth first name "James" thereafter. High school nickname "Ekky." As a high school student played cornet with the Harvard-based jazz quintet The Crimson Ramblers on a European tour at age 16 in 1926 (recalled in 1969 by band drummer Morrill "Mal" Hammond: "Ecky [sic] was a very promising horn man...Ecky Watson was killed in the night club fire at Cocoanut Grove..."). Joined the Navy in February 1941. Was previously employed in Hartford as a plumbing and heating salesman for Sears, Roebuck & Co. Moderate build (WWII draft registration, October '40: 5' 10½," 165 lbs.). Above sister-in-law less than one year after the tragedy became the first known Grove fire survivor to die of causes not directly related to the disaster (complications from child birth, her nine-pound baby boy William lived). Parents Mrs. Margaret A. (Cook), same Brighton address, and the late Mr. James H. Watson. Burial at St. Paul's Cemetery, Arlington, MA.

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