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Auction: 24002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 156

A Great War M.C. group of five awarded to Major G. G. Watson, Worcestershire Regiment, late Royal Flying Corps and who was later the Commanding Officer of the Chaddesley Corbett Home Guard during the Second World War

Military Cross, G.V.R.; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. G. G. Watson. Worc. R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. G. G. Watson.); Defence Medal 1939-45, extremely fine (5)

M.C. London Gazette11 June 1917:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Whilst in command of the leading company in an attack he brought his company into position with great skill in the dark, and thereby was largely responsible for the success of the operation. He was subsequently badly wounded, after leading his company forward with the greatest determination.'

M.I.D. London Gazette 21 May 1917.

George Grosvenor Watson was born on 21 October 1887, at Kidderminster, Worcestershire. His father, Colonel Richard Talbot Watson with his first wife, had produced six children by that marriage. When the first wife died prematurely, Watson remarried a Miss Grosvenor and from this marriage, just one child was born - George Grosvenor.

Watson went to Clifton College, Bristol and soonafter went into the family carpet and weaving business, as a Worsted Spinner between 1905-14.

On the outbreak of Great War, he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the 1/7th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment on 6 August 1914. As the danger of a German invasion of Britain subsided, it became possible to release the Territorial Divisions for service overseas.

Watson was amongst those who volunteered for immediate service and his Battalion formed part of the 144th Brigade, South Midland Division. On 31 March 1915, the Battalion left by train from Maldon East Station for Folkestone, leaving during the night on the Onward, bound for northern France. They disembarked at Boulogne at midnight, marching three miles to their camp. At 1500hrs on 1 April, the Battalion entrained at Pont de Briques Station, meeting their transport that had arrived from Le Havre. The trains carried the Battalion to Cassel, where the South Midland Division were being concentrated. On 2 April, the Battalion detrained at Bavinchove Station and marched to their allotted billets at Hardifort. On 3 April, the Brigade was inspected by Gen. Sir Horace Smith Dorrien, Commanding the Second Army. On 10 April, they went forward to new billets at Armentieres for practical instruction in trench warfare. Here they were subjected to occasional sniping and bombing, but on 17 April, moved to an operational footing and into the trenches as a complete unit, between the River Warnave and the Wulverghem-Messines road, covering Ploegsteert Wood. Here, the Battalion received its first casualty on 19 April 1915.

On 13 May 1915, Watson was promoted to Lieutenant and on 7 November 1915, to temporary Captain. He was 'mentioned' in April 1917 (London Gazette 21 May 1917, refers).

At 0345hrs on 24 April, 1917, the 1/8th Battalions attacked Gillemont Farm with the 1/6th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment attacked a hill called The Knoll, nearby. Two companies of the 1/7th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment remained in Reserve. However, a strong enemy counter attack was launched at 0900hrs with the enemy advancing up valleys on both sides of the farm, pushing back the 1/8th Battalion to their former position. At 1330hrs, the Officer commanding the 1/7th Battalion was summoned to Brigade HQ and received outline orders to repeat the attack on Gillemont Farm that night with the 4th Gloucesters attacking on the left, (The Knoll) and the 4th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment on the right, (a copse). The C.O. returned and briefed his Company Commanders, who were left to reconnoitre the lines of approach.

Brigade Orders were received at 1900hrs, with the C.O. immediately issuing Operational Orders for the attack. This was to commence at 2300hrs and begin with an artillery barrage lasting ten minutes, after which the 1/7th Battalion would begin their assault on Gillemont Farm.

The night was very dark and no stars were showing. Despite the fact that the approach to the Farm had been hurriedly reconnoitred at dusk, Watson led 'D' Company into position with accuracy and punctuality. He was tasked with attacking the left of the Farm in two waves, each of two lines, with 'C' Company to the right, 'B' Company in support and 'A' Company in reserve.

As the attack began, our artillery barrage became very strong and was responded to in similar fashion by the enemy. 'D' Company were very successful in getting forward, thanks mainly to the skilful way in which Watson got his men into position. However, early in the advance, he received a severe shrapnel wound to the left side of his face and his work thereafter fell to one of his Lieutenants. 'D' Company continued to advance, taking up positions near the Farm without suffering many casualties.

During the course of the night and the early hours of 25 April, the retaken ground was consolidated, whereupon, at 0600hrs, the enemy made a determined counter-attack. This was repulsed, with particular praise going to the Lewis gunners of the Battalion.

By 1600hrs that day, almost all of the wounded had been brought in, including men who had laid out in the open from the original attack by the 1/8th Battalion, on 23-24 April.

Watson went up to Buckingham Palace with his sister, Gladys to Buckingham Palace, to receive his M.C. from the hands of The King.

As a result of the courage and bravery shown by the Officers and men of the Battalion, during the attack and subsequent Defence of Gillemont Farm, they took a Bar to D.S.O., Bar to M.C., four M.C.'s and seven M.M.'s.

Watson appears to have transferred to the Royal Flying Corps following his recuperation, probably as a result of the influence of his brother, Major R. Q. Watson, who commanded a Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps. At the time, he was residing at Honeybrook House, Kidderminster. He was appointed an Equipment Officer at Henley on 27 December 1917 and received a course of instruction. By 8 May 1918, Watson had been posted to the newly formed HQ 16 Group at Fossgate, York, also working with the 2nd Fighter School at Marske Aerodrome, in his continuing roll as an Equipment Officer. He was discharged fon 18 November 1918.

Still serving with the 1/7th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment in October, 1921 he retired as a result of his marriage to Isabelle Lydia Shothose. She had been a Voluntary Aid Detachment nurse with the Red Cross in France during and amongst other duties, drove the ambulances evacuating the wounded from the casualty clearing stations to the hospitals. They were married at the local parish church in Arreton on the Isle of Wight on 19 April 1921.

After a failed business venture with his half brother, Watson then played the Stock Market and worked with an agency making Jute. He also worked for Brintons Carpets. His Medals were issued in July 1929, but he apparently never wore these, preferring instead, to wear his miniatures. Upon the outbreak of the Second World War, he was living at The Pound House, Chaddesley Corbett and commanded the local and district Home Guard with the rank of Major. He owned some land nearby on which was placed the village search light. Watson died from shock caused by a pancreatic haemorrhage on 15 May 1951, aged 64.


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Sold for
£1,200

Starting price
£1200