Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Great War 1917 D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant C. G. Watson, 29th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, for his gallantry in leading his bombing party during the attack on Sunray Trench, Le Transloy, 2 March 1917

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (1441 Cpl. C. G. Watson. 29/Aust: Inf:); 1914-15 Star (1441 Pte. C. G. Watson. 29/Bn. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (1441 L-Sgt. C. G. Watson. 29 Bn. A.I.F.) nearly extremely fine (4)
£1800-2200

D.C.M. London Gazette 1 January 1918:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of a bombing party during an attack. He met with strong opposition, but got his men on to the parapet, engaged the enemy with bombs, and after a severe struggle succeeded in forcing them back. He showed magnificent courage and determination.’

The original recommendation states:

‘At Sunray Trench (Le Transloy Sector) Corporal Watson was in charge of a bombing party ordered to operate up Boomerang Trench simultaneously with the attack on Sunray Trench on morning of the 2nd March 1917. He was at the head of his men and when between our block and that of the enemy, met with considerable opposition, he got his men on top of the parapet and engaged the enemy with bombs but was forced back into the trench along which they fought their way.

Failing to find any junction between boomerang and Sunray Trenches, Corporal Watson reported to 2nd Lieut. Whitley and on being instructed to proceed along Sunray Trench, placed himself at the head of his party and in the face of strong opposition pushed on doggedly, thus clearing the way for the assaulting party. Throughout the fight he was one of the foremost in the action.’

Clarence Gordon Watson was born in Casterton, Victoria, in 1886. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Melbourne, Victoria, 20 July 1915, and was posted to the 29th Australian Infantry Battalion. He travelled to Egypt in H.M.A.T. Ascanius in November 1915, and served with the Battalion as part of the 8th Australian Brigade, 5th Australian Division in the French theatre of war from June 1916.

Watson served with the 29th Battalion in the Ypres sector, and was awarded his D.C.M. for gallantry in an attack on Sunray Trench, 2 March 1917. He returned to Australia in the Konig Frederich August, in August 1919. He was discharged 1 November 1919, and died in May 1951.