Lieutenant Colonel:Oliver C S WATSON, VC

Discussion in 'Prewar' started by CL1, Aug 23, 2011.

  1. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Remembered St Marys.Wargrave,Berkshire


    Name: WATSON, OLIVER CYRIL SPENCER
    Initials: O C S
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
    Regiment/Service: Middlesex Hussars
    Secondary Regiment: King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    Secondary Unit Text: Cdg. 2nd/5th Bn.
    Age: 41
    Date of Death: 28/03/1918
    Awards: V C, D S O
    Additional information: Son of William Spencer Watson, F.R.C.S., and Georgine Mary Jane Mair Watson. Served in the Tirah Campaign with 19th Bn. Yorkshire Regt., also served in China during the Boxer rebellion.
    Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
    Grave/Memorial Reference: Bay 1.
    Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL
    Citation: An extract from "The London Gazette," dated 18th May, 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery, self-sacrificing devotion to duty, and exceptionally gallant leading during a critical period of operations. His command was at a point where continual attacks were made by the enemy in order to pierce the line, and an intricate system of old trenches in front, coupled with the fact that his position was under constant rifle and machine-gun fire, rendered the situation still more dangerous. A counter-attack had been made against the enemy position, which at first achieved its object, but as they were holding out in two improvised strong points, Lt. Col. Watson saw that immediate action was necessary, and he led his remaining small reserve to the attack, organising bombing parties and leading attacks under intense rifle and machine-gun fire. Outnumbered, he finally ordered his men to retire, remaining himself in a communication trench to cover the retirement, though he faced almost certain death by so doing. The assault he led was at a critical moment, and without doubt saved the line. Both in the assault and in covering his men's retirement, he held his life as nothing, and his splendid bravery inspired all troops in the vicinity to rise. to the occasion and save a breach being made in a hardly tried and attenuated line. Lt. Col. Watson was killed while covering the withdrawal."

    The Yorkshire Regiment, WW1 Remembrance - Victoria Cross Holder, Lieutenant Colonel Oliver C S Watson
     

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  2. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

  3. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Thought we might add a photo of the man himself

    UK, Victoria Cross Medals, 1857-2007
    Name: Oliver Cyril Spencer Watson
    Birth Date: 7 Sep 1876
    Birth Place: Cavendish Square, London
    Death Date: 28 Mar 1918
    Death Place: Rossignol Wood, France
    40104_258646-n0973.jpg

    TD
     
    Recce_Mitch, Deacs, CL1 and 1 other person like this.

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