Orders, Decorations and Medals

Royal Dublin Fusiliers Medal, obv. Indian elephant, ‘Carnatic Mysore Royal Dublin Fusiliers’; rev. Tiger, ‘Plassey Buxar Spectamur Agendo’ (Capt. R. M. Watson), 32mm., silver, suspension bar, ‘1662-1911’, 1 engraved clasp, ‘Adjutant 12th Feb. 1913 to 1st Jan. 1916’, brooch bar, ‘Old Toughs’, good very fine £100-140

Ronald MacGregor Watson was born on 30 June 1887, the son of Colonel R. S. Watson of Leigh Grove, Surbiton. He was commissioned into the 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers on 4 May 1907, was promoted to Lieutenant in December 1909 and was Adjutant, February 1913-January 1916. Promoted to Captain in August 1914 he served in the Great War as Staff Captain to the 10th Infantry Brigade, B.E.F., 3 January - 31 March 1916; as Brigade Major, 96th Infantry Brigade, B.E.F., April 1916-July 1917; and as G.S.O.2 to the 21st Division, July 1917-March 1918. For his wartime services Watson was mentioned in despatches, was awarded the brevet of Major on 1 January 1917 and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (London Gazette 18 February 1915).

The silver medal could be awarded to the Adjutant on vacating his post, to the best shot, the best athlete or the best swimmer; it could also be purchased by anyone who had served 21 years in the regiment.