Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A good Great War ‘V.C. action’ M.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant F. T. Watson, 50th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, for his gallantry during the attack on Noreuil, 2 April 1917. He was twice wounded in action during the war

Military Medal, G.V.R. (3531 Sjt: F. T. Watson. 50/Aust: Inf:); 1914-15 Star (3531 Pte F. T. Watson. 10/Bn. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (3531 Sgt. F. T. Watson. 10 Bn. A.I.F.) mounted for display, generally very fine (4) £800-£1,000

M.M. London Gazette 26 May 1917. The original recommendation states:

‘At Noreuil on 2nd April 1917 this N.C.O. rendered valuable service in filling the gap between the right of the line and the next Battalion. He repelled three counter attacks by the enemy. He also prevented the enemy from getting ammunition to a hostile machine gun which eventually had to stop firing. On the night of the 2nd/3rd he pushed out and linked up with the right Battalion.’

Frederick Thomas Watson was born in Birmingham, England in 1895. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Keswick, South Australia, 27 July 1915. After being sent to Egypt with the 10th Australian Infantry Battalion, Watson transferred to the 50th Australian Infantry Battalion in February 1916. He served with the Battalion in the French theatre of war from 12 June 1916, and advanced to Sergeant in February 1917.

Watson was awarded the M.M. for his gallantry at Noreuil, east of Bapaume, 2 April 1917. The latter was a V.C. action for the Battalion, with Corporal J. C. Jensen being awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry during the attack on Noreuil. The Battalion's casualties for the day were heavy, with 100 killed or died of wounds, 169 wounded and 91 missing. Of the missing, an estimated 29 had been killed and 62 taken prisoner.

Watson was wounded in action, 10 June 1917, and 26 April 1918. He returned to Australia in May 1919, and was discharged, 29 June 1919.