delta Posted 16 May , 2007 Share Posted 16 May , 2007 I am trying to find soem background info on WHL Watson, who wrote "Adventures of a Despatch Rider" and "A Company of Tanks". His wriiting is superb BUT Try as I might, I am having difficulyy tracking down much of his life through service records. I know that he was awarded the DCM, presumably for his work as a DR during the 1914 Camapign but can't find his citation in the Gazette. Nor can I get his commissioning date (early - mid 1915) or any other service details even though I know he commanded aa Compayy of Cyclists in XI Corps Cyclist Bn, then a Tank Company in C Bn at Bullecourt and Cambrai and ended up commanding 4th Carrier Coy of the Tank Corps. Any background info would be much appreciated Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshdoc Posted 16 May , 2007 Share Posted 16 May , 2007 heres a start no DCM though http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveSe...p;selHonorType= Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshdoc Posted 16 May , 2007 Share Posted 16 May , 2007 i other http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType= but still no DCM or DSO a MIC http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...;resultcount=74 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 16 May , 2007 Author Share Posted 16 May , 2007 Gareth - a brilliant start ; thank youIt's interesting that the DCM only appears as he retires although it is shown on the front cover of the "Adventures"Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshdoc Posted 16 May , 2007 Share Posted 16 May , 2007 here is the SO** DCM http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType= got the bug*** DSO http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType= Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 16 May , 2007 Author Share Posted 16 May , 2007 Gareth Wonderful - I wont ask you how did it as you are clearly a master and such skills should remain trade (or should that be "Guild") secrets !! I must clearly just "muggle" on Furthermore, you have answered the question that was stumiping me; how to get his Christian names and here they are: William Henry Lowe Watson Thank you indeed for your trouble Stephen Notes; Born 3 Aug 1891 at 98 Victoria Street, Westminster, London; the second son of the Rev Patrick and Mrs Watson, died at White Cottage, Drax Avenue, Wimbledon, 6 Dec 1932; Details of Will in Times shows assitant secretary Ministry of Labour 1932; of Wimbledon - net value of estate £6,793 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 16 May , 2007 Share Posted 16 May , 2007 DCM Citation, Sir? LG 1-4-1915 For conspicuous gallantry and resource on numerous occasions in carrying messages under shell and line fire, especially on the Aisne and at Givenchy. http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType= Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshdoc Posted 16 May , 2007 Share Posted 16 May , 2007 Nice one Stebie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 16 May , 2007 Author Share Posted 16 May , 2007 THE master speaks - thanx steve Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 19 May , 2007 Author Share Posted 19 May , 2007 Gentlemen; here is his obituary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 19 May , 2007 Share Posted 19 May , 2007 Someone's been playing with his new Online Resource! Nice detail on his career there.... Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldstreamer Posted 19 May , 2007 Share Posted 19 May , 2007 debretts 1924 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 19 May , 2007 Author Share Posted 19 May , 2007 Thanks for the help fellas - I'm having fun but have a long way to go S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Hansen Posted 6 July , 2007 Share Posted 6 July , 2007 Has anyone seen "Tales of a gaspipe officer" as mentioned in the obituary? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 6 July , 2007 Author Share Posted 6 July , 2007 nope but (care of the Times) i recently found the birth date of his son ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yeomans Posted 13 March , 2009 Share Posted 13 March , 2009 Stephen, I have only just joined the Forum but was interested in this posting you made back in May 2007. My interest is in First Bullecourt and in particular the tank action there. I have quite a lot of info. on Watson and was in contact with his son a few years back. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 13 March , 2009 Author Share Posted 13 March , 2009 Nick - welcome to the Forum Sharing is what the forum does best - hope you enjoy your stay! Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yeomans Posted 25 March , 2009 Share Posted 25 March , 2009 Stephen Thank you for the welcome. Given the date of your original posting I imagine you have completed your search for information on Watson and will have got a copy of his service record etc. I never did manage to get a photograph of him but 6 ft 5 1/2 inches must have been a bit of a sqeeze in a Mk II ! Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 26 March , 2009 Author Share Posted 26 March , 2009 Nick - acutally I have been diverted away from Watson by my work on the First Tank Crews (see my website) and have not got to Kew for his record. He was not the only tall officer in his company - Swears was 6 ft 6 as well! Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yeomans Posted 26 March , 2009 Share Posted 26 March , 2009 Stephen What is the web site address ? Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 26 March , 2009 Author Share Posted 26 March , 2009 http://firsttankcrews.com/ Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yeomans Posted 30 March , 2009 Share Posted 30 March , 2009 Stephen, Great web-site. I have posted a note there re. Gunner Henry Leat. Regards Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 31 March , 2009 Author Share Posted 31 March , 2009 Nick thanks for the info Here is an extract from the Aldersht News on Fri JUn 1917 which you may find of interest Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marticelli Posted 1 March , 2012 Share Posted 1 March , 2012 This is my first substantive post to this forum, and as a newcomer you will bear with me if this post is in the wrong place I hope! I am researching the history of the 5th Signals Coy Royal Engineers during the first months of the war, and have managed to obtain the medals and albums belonging to the Burney brothers, Alick and Cecil, who were members of the same group of despatch riders written about so eloquently by WHL Watson in his book, 'Adventures of a Despatch Rider'. Although my main interest is in early vehicles, having made this momentous discovery, we are looking to find living relatives of any of the members of this august group of men, whose identities were masked by nicknames in the book, such as Grimers, Fatters, Pollers, Sadders, Huggie, Spuggie etc. We have done some genealogical research and have located a few good contacts, but I note that an earlier contributor to this thread has spoken to Willie Watson's son, presumably still living. I am hopeful we can do more detailed research with a view to making a documentary about the life of Great War despatch riders. I would be grateful for any information readers of this post can offer to help our research. Once I have figured out how to do so, I will try and post some pictures of those mentioned above on this forum. Meantime I have tried to attach a thumbnail of Willie Watson smoking his favourite pipe. Looking forward to a favourable response. Martin Shelley, OEC and Blackburne Marque Specialist, VMCC (Email me) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 6 March , 2012 Author Share Posted 6 March , 2012 Martin Welcome to the Forum - its good to have you with us It's the first time I have seen an image of Willie Watson - thanks for posting it. If you are unsure, I can open a new thread, under units, on 5th Division Signal Company motorcyclist and you can reply and add the info Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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