Here we have a circa 1907 silver centre seconds pocket watch, which is of WW1 interest, being owned by William George Teacher, who was killed in action in 1916.

It has the enamel dial with the inset centre and clear roman numerals. The seconds track is detailed with 1/5th second graduations to the exterior. The hands are of the classic spade and whip style in the thermally blued tone. The central second hand is thin, with the tear drop counterbalance. It has the sterling silver case which measures 51.75mm wide. It is a classic design with the open face and double hinged case back.

To the rear it has the engraved initials ‘WGT’ with the text ‘William George Teacher 2/Lt 15th (S) H.L.I. – Killed in action near Thiepval 14.5.1916 – Aged 22 years’.

Inside it has hallmarking for sterling silver by London assay office, dating to 1907. It also has the ‘G.D’ makers marks for Georges Dimier. The movement is a high quality Swiss lever calibre, with the screwed chatons and bi-metallic balance with Breguet overcoil. It has been recently serviced and is keeping accurate time to within 1 minute variation per day.

William George Teacher
William George Teacher was born in December 1893 to William Curtis Teacher and Eliza Rowena Teacher. The family lived at Kilarden in Dowanhill Gardens, Glasgow. They belonged to the prominent Teacher Whisky dynasty, which was founded by his Great grandfather William Teacher. His father William Teacher Jr was managing director alongside his uncle Adam Teacher.

He was educated at Kelvinside Academy and at Loretto School in Edinburgh, being a prefect and holding the rank of Sergeant in the Officer Training Corps. He was also a three-quarter and colours winner in the rugby 1st XV for three years, as well as gaining silver medals for winning the quarter mile, 100 yards and long jump. 

At the outbreak of war, he applied for a commission and was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in the 15th Battn. H.L.I. in September 1914.

Teacher joined the 15th (Service) Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry, one of the battalions raised during the expansion of the British Army in the beginning period of the war.

By May 1916 Teacher was commanding D Company, which was a considerable responsibility for such a young officer.

Second Lieutenant William George Teacher of the 15th (Service) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, was just 22 years old when he died. His unit was holding a section of the front-line trench near Thiepval. William was killed while inspecting his company’s section of trench on the 14th May 1916.

A testament to his character, a Platoon Sergeant under his command wrote “His cheerfulness in every turmoil, his calmness and coolness in every danger, in all his unrivalled soldierly example has left a stamp on us which I trust will never be effaced”.

He was buried in the British Cemetery at Authuile Military Cemetery and is commemorated on the Cove and Kilcreggan War Memorial, just below his cousins name. 
A Memorial Window at Kelvinside Hillhead Parish Church in Glasgow, was presented by his parents in his memory in 1917.
It was designed and created by Messrs Meikle & Sons, and it is emblematic of the triumph of Right and Justice over the powers of Evil. 
They also presented £2000 to Craigrownie Parish Church in Coe, with the income going towards the minister's stipend, in memory of their son and nephew. 

The pocket watch
The dial is clean and classic with the bright white enamel finish. The exterior of the dial has the Arabic signing for the 5 second graduations on the minute/seconds track. The track has the single unit graduations with detailed 1/5th second graduations. The roman numeral hour markers are large and clear in the black tone. The centre of the dial is inset which provides an intriguing mix of depth of texture. The hands are of the classic spade and whip style, in the bright thermally blued tone. The central second hand is thin, with the tear drop counterbalance. It also has the bright thermally blued tone, matching the hour and minute hands.

The case is formed of sterling silver and is the classic layout with the open face and hinged bezel, with the double hinged case back. The crown is original, with the original bow having the London import marks. The hand adjustment is pinset, which is located at 1 O’clock.

The case back has the engraving which honours William Teacher. It has the stylised ‘WGT’ initials with the text ‘William George Teacher 2/Lt 15th (S) H.L.I. – Killed in action near Thiepval 14.5.1916 – Aged 22 years’.

Inside it has hallmarking for sterling silver by London assay office, which dates to 1907. It has the ‘G.D’ makers marks for Georges Dimier, a well-known watch importer based at Holborn Viaduct, London.

The movement is a high-quality Swiss lever calibre, with the three-quarter plate layout. It has the screwed chatons and bi-metallic balance with Breguet overcoil. It has been recently serviced and is keeping accurate time to within 1 minute variation per day.

Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
A further condition report is below.

Dial:
The enamel dial is original and is in good condition. It has no hairlines or cracks to the main face. There are some light chips to the edges, seen near 1 o’clock and 8 o’clock.

Hands:
The hands are original and have the bright thermally blued finish. They are in very good condition with no noticeable corrosion.

Glass:
The glass is a later replacement which has some light marking associated with age.

Bow:
The crown, stem and bow are original and are in good condition.

Case:
It is an open face pocket watch, with the hinged bezel and double hinged case back. It is in good condition with only light marking associated with age. The front and back seal tightly.
To the rear is the memorial inscription.

Movement:
The movement is a high-quality Swiss lever calibre, with the three-quarter plate layout. It has the screwed chatons and bi-metallic balance with Breguet overcoil. It has been recently serviced and is keeping accurate time to within 1 minute variation per day.

Case dimensions
Case width: 51.75mm
Case length: 51.8mm
Case width with crown: 64.25mm
Case length with bow: 73.3mm
Case depth: 17mm