Orders, Decorations and Medals

Lieutenant-Colonel O. C. S. Watson, V.C., D.S.O., King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, late 1st County of London Yeomany and Yorkshire Regiment

Portrait, a portrait of Lieutenant-Colonel Watson, facing left, in uniform wearing campaign medal ribbons of the India General Service and China 1900 medals, 80 x 120mm., good condition £30-50

V.C. London Gazette 8 May 1918.

D.S.O. London Gazette 20 May 1917.

‘On 28 March 1918 at Rossignol Wood, north of Hebuterne, France, a counter-attack had been made against the enemy position which at first achieved its object, but as they were holding out in two improvised strong-points, Lieutenant-Colonel Watson saw that immediate action was necessary and he led his remaining small reserve to the attack, organising bombing parties and leading attacks under intense fire. Outnumbered, he finally ordered his men to retire, remaining himself in a communications trench to cover the retirement. The assault he led was at a critical moment and without doubt saved the line, but he was killed covering the withdrawal’ (Ref. The Register of the Victoria Cross).