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{{short description|British general and Victoria Cross recipient}} | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}} | ||
{{Infobox military person | {{Infobox military person | ||
|name=John Watson | | honorific_prefix = [[Sir]] | ||
|honorific_suffix= | | name = John Watson | ||
|birth_date={{birth date|1829|09|06|df=yes}} | | honorific_suffix = {{postnominals|country=GBR|sep=|VC|GCB}} | ||
|death_date={{Death date and age|1919|01|23|1829|09|06|df=yes}} | | birth_date = {{birth date|1829|09|06|df=yes}} | ||
|birth_place= [[Chigwell]], [[Essex]] | | death_date = {{Death date and age|1919|01|23|1829|09|06|df=yes}} | ||
|death_place=[[Finchampstead]], [[Berkshire]] | | birth_place = [[Chigwell]], [[Essex]] | ||
|placeofburial=St James Churchyard, Finchampstead | | death_place = [[Finchampstead]], [[Berkshire]] | ||
|image=General Sir J. Watson V.C., K.C.B..JPG | | placeofburial = St James Churchyard, Finchampstead | ||
|image_size=225 | | image = General Sir J. Watson V.C., K.C.B..JPG | ||
|caption= | | image_size = 225 | ||
|nickname= | | caption = | ||
|allegiance={{flag|United Kingdom}} | | nickname = | ||
|serviceyears=1848–? | | allegiance = {{flag|United Kingdom}} | ||
|rank=[[General (United Kingdom)|General]] | | serviceyears = 1848–? | ||
|branch= | | rank = [[General (United Kingdom)|General]] | ||
{{plainlist| | | branch = {{plainlist| | ||
*[[Bengal Army]] | *[[File:Flag of the British East India Company (1801).svg|22x20px|border]] [[Bengal Army]] | ||
* | *[[File:Ensign of the Royal Indian Army Service Corps.svg|22x20px|border]] [[British Indian Army]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
|commands=[[6th Duke of Connaught's Own Lancers (Watson's Horse)|4th Sikh Irregular Cavalry]] | | commands = [[6th Duke of Connaught's Own Lancers (Watson's Horse)|4th Sikh Irregular Cavalry]] | ||
|unit= | | unit = | ||
|battles= | | battles = {{plainlist| | ||
{{plainlist| | |||
*[[Second Anglo-Sikh War]] | *[[Second Anglo-Sikh War]] | ||
*[[Indian Mutiny]] | *[[Indian Mutiny]] | ||
| Line 29: | Line 29: | ||
*[[Umbeyla Campaign]] | *[[Umbeyla Campaign]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
|awards= | | awards = {{plainlist| | ||
{{plainlist| | |||
*[[Victoria Cross]] | *[[Victoria Cross]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
|laterwork= | | laterwork = | ||
}} | }} | ||
[[General (United Kingdom)|General]] '''Sir John Watson''', {{postnominals|country=GBR|sep=,|VC|GCB}} (6 September 1829 – 23 January 1919) was an [[England|English]] recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]], the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to [[United Kingdom|British]] and [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] forces. | [[General (United Kingdom)|General]] '''Sir John Watson''', {{postnominals|country=GBR|sep=,|VC|GCB}} (6 September 1829 – 23 January 1919) was an [[England|English]] recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]], the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to [[United Kingdom|British]] and [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] forces. An [[Officer (armed forces)|officer]] serving with the [[Bengal Army]], Watson received his Victoria Cross for actions at [[Lucknow]] during the [[Indian Mutiny]]. He later rose to the rank of [[general]] in the [[British Indian Army]]. | ||
==Early life== | ==Early life== | ||
Watson was born on 6 September 1829 in [[Chigwell]], [[Essex]]. | Watson was born on 6 September 1829 in [[Chigwell]], [[Essex]].{{sfn|Ashcroft |2007|p=64}} His father was William George Watson. In 1848,<ref name="IndianBio" /> at the age of 19, Watson travelled to London seeking to join the army of the [[British East India Company]]. Joining the [[Bengal Army]] as an [[Officer (armed forces)|officer]] he was initially sent to [[Madras]]. This offered little prospect of action, however, and Watson sought transfer to [[Bombay]].{{sfn|Ashcroft |2007|p=64}} | ||
His first combat action came in December 1848 during the [[Second Anglo-Sikh War]] when Watson took part in the [[Siege of Multan]], while serving with the [[1st Bombay European Fusiliers]]. | His first combat action came in December 1848 during the [[Second Anglo-Sikh War]] when Watson took part in the [[Siege of Multan]], while serving with the [[1st Bombay European Fusiliers]].{{sfn|Ashcroft |2007|p=64}} Shortly afterwards he took part in the [[Battle of Gujrat]].{{sfn|Ashcroft |2007|p=65}} By the early 1850s, he was adjutant of the [[11th Prince Albert Victor's Own Cavalry (Frontier Force)|1st Punjab Cavalry]], when Lieutenant, later Field-Marshall, [[Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts|Frederick Roberts]] observed that Watson "was looked upon as one of the most promising officers of the Frontier Force."{{sfn|Roberts|1897|p=23}} | ||
==Victoria Cross details== | ==Victoria Cross details== | ||
Watson was 28 years old, and a [[lieutenant]] in the [[11th Prince Albert Victor's Own Cavalry (Frontier Force)|1st Punjab Cavalry]], [[Bengal Army]] during the [[Indian Mutiny]] when the following deed took place on 14 November 1857 at [[Lucknow]], [[India]], for which he was awarded the VC: | Watson was 28 years old, and a [[lieutenant]] in the [[11th Prince Albert Victor's Own Cavalry (Frontier Force)|1st Punjab Cavalry]], [[Bengal Army]] during the [[Indian Mutiny]] when the following deed took place on 14 November 1857 at [[Lucknow]], [[India]], for which he was awarded the VC: | ||
{{quote|Lieut. Watson, on 14 Nov., with his own squadron, and that under Captain, then Lieut. Probyn, came upon a body of the rebel cavalry. The Ressaldar in command of them – a fine specimen of the Hindustani Mussalman – and backed up by some half-dozen equally brave men, rode out to the front. Lieutenant Watson singled out this fine-looking fellow and attacked him. The Ressaldar presented his pistol at Lieut. Watson's breast at a yard's distance and fired, but most providentially without effect; the ball must have by accident previously fallen out. Lieutenant Watson ran the man through with his sword and dismounted him; but the native officer, nothing daunted, drew his tulwar, and with his sowars renewed his attack upon Lieutenant Watson, who bravely defended himself until his own men joined in the melee, and utterly routed the party. In this rencontre Lieutenant Watson received a blow on the head from a tulwar, another on the left arm, which severed his chain gauntlet glove, a tulwar cut on his right arm, which fortunately only divided the sleeve of his jacket, but disabled the arm for some time; a bullet also passed through his coat, and he received a blow on his leg which lamed him for some days afterwards.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=22154|page=2960|date=18 June 1858}}</ref>}} | {{quote|Lieut. Watson, on 14 Nov., with his own squadron, and that under Captain, then [[Dighton Probyn|Lieut. Probyn]], came upon a body of the rebel cavalry. The [[Risaldar|Ressaldar]] in command of them – a fine specimen of the Hindustani Mussalman – and backed up by some half-dozen equally brave men, rode out to the front. Lieutenant Watson singled out this fine-looking fellow and attacked him. The Ressaldar presented his pistol at Lieut. Watson's breast at a yard's distance and fired, but most providentially without effect; the ball must have by accident previously fallen out. Lieutenant Watson ran the man through with his sword and dismounted him; but the native officer, nothing daunted, drew his [[tulwar]], and with his sowars renewed his attack upon Lieutenant Watson, who bravely defended himself until his own men joined in the melee, and utterly routed the party. In this rencontre Lieutenant Watson received a blow on the head from a tulwar, another on the left arm, which severed his chain gauntlet glove, a tulwar cut on his right arm, which fortunately only divided the sleeve of his jacket, but disabled the arm for some time; a bullet also passed through his coat, and he received a blow on his leg which lamed him for some days afterwards.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=22154|page=2960|date=18 June 1858}}</ref>}} | ||
==Later military career== | ==Later military career== | ||
Following this Watson took part in further fighting around [[Siege of Cawnpore|Cawnpore]] and then the [[Relief of Lucknow]]. After this he returned to England briefly on convalescence leave before returning to India.<ref name=Ashcroft67>Ashcroft 2007, p. 67.</ref> In 1858, | [[File:John Watson grave.jpg|thumb|Grave in the churchyard of St James, Finchampstead|240x240px]]Following this, Watson took part in further fighting around [[Siege of Cawnpore|Cawnpore]] and then the [[Relief of Lucknow]]. After this he returned to England briefly on convalescence leave before returning to India.<ref name=Ashcroft67>Ashcroft 2007, p. 67.</ref> In 1858, he raised the 4th Sikh Irregular Cavalry which later became the [[6th Duke of Connaught's Own Lancers (Watson's Horse)]]. He later took part in the [[Umbeyla Expedition]] (1863) and commanded the [[Central India Horse]], 1871. He became Resident at [[Gwalior]], 1877; Officiating Adjutant-General in Central India, 1871; commanded the Cavalry despatched from Bombay to Malta, 1878;<ref name="IndianBio">{{cite book|title=The Indian Biographical Dictionary|editor=C. Hayavando Rao|publisher=Pillar & Co.|location=Madras|year=1915|pages=459–60|url=http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Indian_Biographical_Dictionary_%281915%29/Watson,_General_Sir_John|accessdate=15 March 2010}}</ref> and then commanded the Punjab chief's contingent of the [[Kurram Valley Field Force]] in the [[Second Anglo-Afghan War]] (1879–80).{{sfn|Roberts|1897|p=375}} In 1891 he was promoted to the rank of [[general]].{{sfn|Ashcroft |2007|p=67}} | ||
Watson also served in a number of | Watson also served in a number of other roles, including [[Aide-de-Camp]] to Her Majesty Empress Victoria, 1870–71 and the Agent to the Governor-General at [[Vadodara|Baroda]] from 1882 until 1886, for which he was subsequently knighted as a Knight Commander of the [[Order of the Bath]] (KCB) in 1886. He was promoted to Knight Grand Cross of the order (GCB) in the [[1902 Coronation Honours]] list published on 26 June 1902,<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=The Coronation Honours |date=26 June 1902 |page=5 |issue=36804| }}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette |issue=27448 |supp=y |date=26 July 1902 |pages=4189–4190}}</ref> and was invested by King [[Edward VII]] at [[Buckingham Palace]] on 8 August 1902.<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Court Circular |date=9 August 1902 |page=6 |issue=36842| }}</ref> | ||
He was also made [[Colonel of the Regiment]] of the 13th Duke of Connaught Lancers in 1904.<ref name="IndianBio" /> | He was also made [[Colonel of the Regiment]] of the [[13th Lancers|13th Duke of Connaught Lancers]] in 1904.<ref name="IndianBio"/> | ||
== Death == | |||
Watson died on 23 January 1919, aged 89, at [[Finchampstead]] in [[Berkshire]]. His grave lies in the churchyard of St James in the village.{{sfn|Ashcroft |2007|p=67}} His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the [[Imperial War Museum]], London. | |||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
| Line 62: | Line 59: | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
*{{cite book|last=Ashcroft|first=Michael|title=Victoria Cross Heroes|year=2007|publisher=Headline Publishing Group|location=London|isbn=978-0-7553-1633-5}} | *{{cite book|last=Ashcroft|first=Michael|title=Victoria Cross Heroes|year=2007|publisher=Headline Publishing Group|location=London|isbn=978-0-7553-1633-5}} | ||
*{{cite book |last=Roberts |first=Sir Frederick |title=Forty-one Years in India|url=http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16528 |year=1897 |publisher=Macmillan & Co |location=London}} | |||
==Further reading== | ==Further reading== | ||
| Line 67: | Line 65: | ||
*[[The Register of the Victoria Cross]] (This England, 1997) | *[[The Register of the Victoria Cross]] (This England, 1997) | ||
==External | ==External link== | ||
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20041214215530/http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/berkshir.htm Location of grave and VC medal] ''(Berkshire)'' | *[https://web.archive.org/web/20041214215530/http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/berkshir.htm Location of grave and VC medal] ''(Berkshire)'' | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Watson, John}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Watson, John}} | ||
[[Category:1829 births]] | [[Category:1829 births]] | ||
[[Category:1919 deaths]] | [[Category:1919 deaths]] | ||
[[Category:People from | [[Category:Burials in Berkshire]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:People from Chigwell]] | ||
[[Category:Military personnel from Essex]] | |||
[[Category:British recipients of the Victoria Cross]] | [[Category:British recipients of the Victoria Cross]] | ||
[[Category:British Indian Army generals]] | [[Category:British Indian Army generals]] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:12, 19 September 2022
John Watson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 6 September 1829 Chigwell, Essex |
| Died | 23 January 1919 (aged 89) Finchampstead, Berkshire |
| Buried | St James Churchyard, Finchampstead |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ | |
| Years of service | 1848–? |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | 4th Sikh Irregular Cavalry |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | |
.svg){kind=small}
General Sir John Watson, VC, GCB (6 September 1829 – 23 January 1919) was an English 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. An officer serving with the Bengal Army, Watson received his Victoria Cross for actions at Lucknow during the Indian Mutiny. He later rose to the rank of general in the British Indian Army.
Early life[edit | edit source]
Watson was born on 6 September 1829 in Chigwell, Essex.[1] His father was William George Watson. In 1848,[2] at the age of 19, Watson travelled to London seeking to join the army of the British East India Company. Joining the Bengal Army as an officer he was initially sent to Madras. This offered little prospect of action, however, and Watson sought transfer to Bombay.[1]
His first combat action came in December 1848 during the Second Anglo-Sikh War when Watson took part in the Siege of Multan, while serving with the 1st Bombay European Fusiliers.[1] Shortly afterwards he took part in the Battle of Gujrat.[3] By the early 1850s, he was adjutant of the 1st Punjab Cavalry, when Lieutenant, later Field-Marshall, Frederick Roberts observed that Watson "was looked upon as one of the most promising officers of the Frontier Force."[4]
Victoria Cross details[edit | edit source]
Watson was 28 years old, and a lieutenant in the 1st Punjab Cavalry, Bengal Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 14 November 1857 at Lucknow, India, for which he was awarded the VC:
Lieut. Watson, on 14 Nov., with his own squadron, and that under Captain, then Lieut. Probyn, came upon a body of the rebel cavalry. The Ressaldar in command of them – a fine specimen of the Hindustani Mussalman – and backed up by some half-dozen equally brave men, rode out to the front. Lieutenant Watson singled out this fine-looking fellow and attacked him. The Ressaldar presented his pistol at Lieut. Watson's breast at a yard's distance and fired, but most providentially without effect; the ball must have by accident previously fallen out. Lieutenant Watson ran the man through with his sword and dismounted him; but the native officer, nothing daunted, drew his tulwar, and with his sowars renewed his attack upon Lieutenant Watson, who bravely defended himself until his own men joined in the melee, and utterly routed the party. In this rencontre Lieutenant Watson received a blow on the head from a tulwar, another on the left arm, which severed his chain gauntlet glove, a tulwar cut on his right arm, which fortunately only divided the sleeve of his jacket, but disabled the arm for some time; a bullet also passed through his coat, and he received a blow on his leg which lamed him for some days afterwards.[5]
Later military career[edit | edit source]
Following this, Watson took part in further fighting around Cawnpore and then the Relief of Lucknow. After this he returned to England briefly on convalescence leave before returning to India.[6] In 1858, he raised the 4th Sikh Irregular Cavalry which later became the 6th Duke of Connaught's Own Lancers (Watson's Horse). He later took part in the Umbeyla Expedition (1863) and commanded the Central India Horse, 1871. He became Resident at Gwalior, 1877; Officiating Adjutant-General in Central India, 1871; commanded the Cavalry despatched from Bombay to Malta, 1878;[2] and then commanded the Punjab chief's contingent of the Kurram Valley Field Force in the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1879–80).[7] In 1891 he was promoted to the rank of general.[8]
Watson also served in a number of other roles, including Aide-de-Camp to Her Majesty Empress Victoria, 1870–71 and the Agent to the Governor-General at Baroda from 1882 until 1886, for which he was subsequently knighted as a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in 1886. He was promoted to Knight Grand Cross of the order (GCB) in the 1902 Coronation Honours list published on 26 June 1902,[9][10] and was invested by King Edward VII at Buckingham Palace on 8 August 1902.[11]
He was also made Colonel of the Regiment of the 13th Duke of Connaught Lancers in 1904.[2]
Death[edit | edit source]
Watson died on 23 January 1919, aged 89, at Finchampstead in Berkshire. His grave lies in the churchyard of St James in the village.[8] His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.
Notes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Ashcroft 2007, p. 64.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 C. Hayavando Rao, ed. (1915). The Indian Biographical Dictionary. Madras: Pillar & Co. pp. 459–60. Retrieved 15 March 2010.
- ↑ Ashcroft 2007, p. 65.
- ↑ Roberts 1897, p. 23.
- ↑ "No. 22154". The London Gazette. 18 June 1858. p. 2960.
- ↑ Ashcroft 2007, p. 67.
- ↑ Roberts 1897, p. 375.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Ashcroft 2007, p. 67.
- ↑ "The Coronation Honours". The Times. No. 36804. London. 26 June 1902. p. 5.
- ↑ "No. 27448". The London Gazette (Supplement). 26 July 1902. pp. 4189–4190.
- ↑ "Court Circular". The Times. No. 36842. London. 9 August 1902. p. 6.
References[edit | edit source]
- Ashcroft, Michael (2007). Victoria Cross Heroes. London: Headline Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-7553-1633-5.
- Roberts, Sir Frederick (1897). Forty-one Years in India. London: Macmillan & Co.
Further reading[edit | edit source]
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
External link[edit | edit source]
- Location of grave and VC medal (Berkshire)