23rd Hussars, list of all officers?

True 8RB, but sadly I don't own this item. Wish I did.

 

Here's John and his wife Sheila (nee Dipple, married in 1957) arriving in London from New York, 24 Jan 1958, on the Cunard ship Saxonia. They had presumably been visiting John's father, who had become a US citizen in 1947.



Added: I think his wife may still be with us.

 

Ha! Just found this. Looks like John was sharing digs with a former fellow officer, Capt John Mervyn Addison, C Sqr, 23H.

Thurloe Square, Kensington and Chelsea, 1950:


Addison was to become a well-known composer:

John Addison - Wikipedia

 

Amazing! That’s some very thorough research on Weiner, indeed.

The tailors/hatters label in Weiners C/FSC.

I do have another C/FSC to the 23H, but unfortunately that example is unattributable.

Best,

Marcus

 

I just noticed this thread and am doing some research on Capt. J. Watson who was a member of 15/19 KRH. I noticed the following in the History of 15/19 KRH 1939-45 by Courage:

".... thirdly, we were ordered to find a cadre of officers, NCOs and men to form, in conjunction with 10 Royal Hussars, a new regiment to be known as 23 Hussars. This last commitment was part of the expansion policy of the Army, under which every two Regular regiments were to help to form one new regiment. This programme later increased the strength of the Royal Armoured Corps, which had at first embraced the Royal Tank Corps, now called the Royal Tank Regiment, and all mechanised Cavalry and Yeomanry Regiments, by the addition of converted infantry battalions. We were given scant notice of the formation of 23 Hussars and on 4 December 1940 our draft left to join the new regiment at Penkridge, near Stafford. The Regiment supplied six officers, Captains J. H. L. Holford and J. Watson, Lieutenants T. D. Wilson and J. Brooke Hunt, and 2nd Lieutenants E. Starling and J. J. Whyley, and sixty- three other ranks, including SSMs Griffiths and Burkinshaw, TSMs Robotham and Reed, and Sergeants Ponsford, Cook, Buckle and Greenwood. 23 Hussars later formed part of 29 Armoured Brigade in 11 Armoured Division, with which we were to fight in the invasion of Europe, although by that time few of our men were still serving in the regiment."

I was wondering if anyone had come across any mention of him during his time with 23 Hussars or any biographical information.

Thank you.

 

Bit of a mystery man. He gets one mention in the War Diary:

December 1940 - Penkridge, Staffordshire

1 23rd Hussars formed. Major C.B. Harvey, 10th Royal Hussars, given command.
4 Lieut Colonel C.B. Harvey and the Adjutant, Captain C.G. Seymour, arrive Litchfield Sub-area to report before taking over. Captain J. Watson and Lieut T.D. Wilson, MC, arrive in 2 staff cars.
5 Lieut John Brooke-Hunt, Lieut Esmond Starling and 51 Other Ranks of 15/19th King's Own Hussars arrive by train. Billetted in Teddesley Hall, Penkridge, Staffs. RSM F. Marks, 16/5th Lancers arrived.
6 Captain Lord George Scott and 44 Other Ranks of the 10th Royal Hussars arrived from Headley
7 The remaining 25 Other Ranks of the 10th Royal Hussars with Major M.F. Morley and Lieut C.V. O'Reilly, who had been at Linney Head, arrived. Lieut J.G. Hanson-Lawson, 10th Royal Hussars also arrived.
8 Captain R.M. Milbanke, MC arrived from 8th Commando
9 The Quartermaster, Lieut J. Garcia arrived from "E" Traffic Control Group, Tonbridge
10-11 Preparing for recruit intake.
12 2 x Impressed vehicles arrived.
13 Captain J.H.L. Holford arrived from 2nd Armoured Brigade as HQ Squadron Leader. 1 x Austin 2-seater arrived.
14 Preparing for recruit intake. 1 x 4-seater Ford car and 1 x Austin 3-ton lorry arrived.
15-16 Preparing for recruit intake.
17 Captain D.A. Woodruffe, RAMC, Temporary Medical Officer, arrived.
18 Direct intake of 300 men of which 281 reported. 5 x Fordson 30-cwt lorries and 1 x Velocette motorcycle arrived. 23H Story Page 13.
19 Recruits medically and dentally examined.
20 1 x 2-seater Hilman and 6 x 15-cwt trucks arrived. Christmas Leave.
21 Lieut J.J. Whyley, 15th/19th Hussars arrived from P.T.
22-29 Christmas Leave.
30 First six weeks of recruits' training starts.
31 Normal training. 2/Lieut F.E.F. Hookham arrived from Sandhurst OCTU.

and one in the Regimental history - "The Story of the Twenty-Third Hussars":



He's not listed on any of the Field Return of Officers.

 

My mistake - he gets another mention:



No idea where he went next - there's no mention in the War Diary.

 

London Gazette, FRIDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER, 1943:

15/19 H.
Lt. (War Sabs. Capt.) J. Watson (37207) from Supp. Res. of Offrs. to be Lt. (War Subs. Capt.) 18th Sept. 1943 retaining his present seniority.

 

Thank you. Yes aside from his time with 15/19 in May 1940 and mention in 15/19 WDs that he was an SRO I have been able to dig up little information about him.

Doing some searching using his service number turned up some records of when he joined 15/19 as a Lt. in 1936 and another record from 1947 as a Maj. with 15/19.

But as you say still a mystery man. I'll have a look through old 15/19 regimental journals perhaps there might be an obituary for him. Thank you for your time.

Cheers

 

Well, just found mention of his death in the 1960 15/19 Regimental Journal.

1960 15/19 Regimental Journal

OBITUARY

ON behalf of the Association. the Committee extend their deep sympathy to the relatives and friends of all those Old Comrades who have passed on since the last report was published.

Those of whom we have been informed are : Major The Lord Rathdonnell, M.C. . Major C. H. Liddell, Major R. W. Douglas, Major J. Watson, D. Archer (4702), D. Brunton, D.C.M. (19th), F. J. Arrhur (46312), Gorman (19th) Chelsea Pensioner, G. Gateland, G. Hodge, J. Hussey (2892), F. A. Toward (7934613), R. G. Maxfield, W. Sims (S.S.M.R.R.), D. C. Smith, J. Stillwell.

 

I was wondering if his service number, 37207, might provide any clues regarding his age or regiment he originally enlisted with?

Just trying to narrow down a huge list of J. Watson's from England & Wales Birth, Marriage, and Death 1837-1983 who passed in 1959/60.

 

Ok one final note for Watson:

CZECHOSLOVAK BRIGADE
[APPOINTMENTS LIST ON LEAVING BRITAIN August 1944]

Staff and Service Officers of No 22 Liaison HQ on Proceeding Overseas
G.S.O. I Col. G.J. de W. MULLENS
'G' & Sigs Branch.
G.S.O. II Maj. P. GOHNS R.T.R.
G.S.O. III (RAC) Capt. C.A. CROFTON N.I.H.
G.S.O. III (RA) Capt. G.M. BROCK R.A.
G.S.O. III (Air and Camp Comd) Capt. J. WATSON 15/19 H.
I.O. Capt. A.J. RICKARDS Coldm.Gds.
Sigs Offr Lt. J. VALINDER R.Sigs.
'A' & 'Q' Branch
D.A.A. & Q.M.G. Maj. M.J. TERRITT MBE. R.T.R.
R.A.S.C. Capt. G.H. STEPHENSON
R.A.O.C. Capt. G.R. RAWES
R.E.M.E. Capt. H. McGIVERN

Number of O.Rs proceeding overseas with 22 Liaison H.Q. : 66

 

If you do ever find out more about him, please post the details here would you? Thanks - and good luck!

 

Yes, certainly if I manage to dig up any info from his early career and activities in WW I.

 

Reckon this is him?

THE LONDON GAZETTE - 28 APRIL, 1931

REGIMENTAL LIST.
15th/19th H.— John Watson (late Lt., 15th/19th H.), to be Lt., 23rd Mar.1931, with seniority , 5th July 1930.

If so then at least we have a first name!

 

I think so.. great spot!

I found these records from UK Army Lists:

First Name:J
Surname:Watson
Nationality:British
Information:Supplementary Reserve, Category B, Employed, (War Sub Capt 01/03/1941), (Employed 23rd Hussars)
Rank:Lieutenant
Rank (2nd):Temporary Major
Service:British Army
Regiment:15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars
Seniority Date:04/01/1936
Collection:UK Army List 1942

First Name:J.
Surname:Watson
Nationality:British
Rank:Lieutenant
Service:British Army
Regiment:15th /19th The King's Royal Hussars. Supplementary Reserve
Seniority Date:04/01/1936
Collection:UK Army List 1936

Also the attached from the Royal Military College, but might not be him.

 

Well done. We'll nail him eventually!

 

Found a John Watson with the exact same DOB as on the RMC record:

1939 REGISTER TRANSCRIPTION
Watson Household (3 People)
17 Olive Garden, Gateshead C.B., Durham
NAME - DOB - OCCUPATION
John Watson -10 Mar 1879 - Retired Policeman
John Watson - 14 Apr 1907 - Engineer Fitter
Kate Leadbeater (Watson) - 07 Jan 1891 - Domestic Servant

Definitely NOT our man though:

First name(s) JOHN
Last name WATSON
Birth date 14 4 1907
Death quarter 3
Death year 1995
District Gateshead

 

Thank you. Yes not sure the RMC record is our man. I'm still in the process of narrowing down a large list of Watsons from the England & Wales Birth, Marriage, and Death 1837-1983. Got side tracked yesterday with some searching for another 15/19 man who was my Dad's tank driver in May 1940 and lived on Guernsey Channel Island.