The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals (Part 2)

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, Suakin 1885 (W. S. Watson, Paymr. R.N. H.M.S. Sphinx) nearly extremely fine

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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William Watson was born on 28 November 1846. He entered the service as an Assistant Clerk aboard H.M.S. VICTORY on 13 March 1863, and then served aboard ST VINCENT (1863-65) where he was promoted to Clerk on 16 March 1864, and ARGUS (1865-67). He joined PRINCESS CHARLOTTE (1867-68) as an Assistant Paymaster on 28 November 1867 and then served almost continuously at sea until retired in 1902. His appointments were aboard COCKATRICE (1870-73), MONARCH (1874-77), TURQUOISE (1877-81), and was promoted to Paymaster on joining DEFENCE on 3 October 1882. To earn this Egypt campaign award he was aboard SPHINX from 9 October 1883 until 18 March 1887, followed by AMPHION (1888-92) where he was promoted to Staff Paymaster on 10 September 1888, then AUDACIOUS (1892-94) and soon received further promotion to Fleet Paymaster aboard EDINBURGH on 10 September 1894. His last two vessels were ROYAL SOVEREIGN (1895-97) and CAMPERDOWN (1900-02). He was retired as ‘unfit’ on 24 January 1902 with the rank of Paymaster in Chief.