Oliver Cyril Spencer Watson
Oliver Cyril Spencer Watson | |
|---|---|
| Awards | Victoria Cross Distinguished Service Order |
Oliver Cyril Spencer Watson VC DSO (7 September 1876 – 28 March 1918) was an English posthumous recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Biography
Educated at
In 1909 he joined the
Victoria Cross
Watson was 41 years old, and an Acting Lieutenant-Colonel commanding the 5th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (now part of The Rifles) during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 28 March 1918 at
Lieutenant Colonel Watson has no known grave.[5] He is remembered at the CWGC Cemetery at Arras, France and listed under the Middlesex Hussars (Yeomanry); his parent unit.
In 1956, Watson's medals were loaned to the Green Howards Regimental Museum, then in 1992 were donated as a gift to the Regiment by the husband of Watson's niece, Mrs Catherine Whittuck. A copy of his Victoria Cross is displayed at the Green Howards Regimental Museum, Richmond, North Yorkshire.
References
- ^ Gliddon 2013, pp. 140–141.
- ^ a b Gliddon 2013, p. 141.
- ^ "No. 30675". The London Gazette (Supplement). 7 May 1918. p. 5555.
- ^ "No. 31340". The London Gazette. 15 May 1919. p. 6085.
- ^ vconline.org.uk
Bibliography
- Monuments to Courage(David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- Gliddon, Gerald (2013) [2004]. Spring Offensive 1918. ISBN 978-0-7524-8730-4.
