Thomas Colclough Watson

For other people named Thomas Watson, see Thomas Watson (disambiguation).
Thomas Colclough Watson
Born 11 April 1867
Died 15 June 1917 (aged 50)
Mesopotamia
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Rank Lieutenant Colonel
Unit Corps of Royal Engineers
Battles/wars

First Mohmand Campaign
World War I

Awards Victoria Cross

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Colclough Watson VC (11 April 1867 – 15 June 1917) was a 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.

He was educated at the King Edward VI Grammar School in Louth, Lincolnshire.[1][2]

Details

Watson was 30 years old, and a lieutenant in the Corps of Royal Engineers, British Army, attached to the Bengal Engineers, British Indian Army [3] during the First Mohmand Campaign in British India when, on the night of 16/17 September 1897 in the Mamund Valley, North-West India, Lieutenant Watson and James Morris Colquhoun Colvin collected a party of volunteers (including James Smith) and led them into the dark and burning village of Bilot, to try to dislodge the enemy who were inflicting losses on British troops. After being wounded and driven back by very heavy fire at close quarters, Lieutenant Watson made a second attempt to clear the village and only gave up after a second repulse and being again severely wounded.[4] An account mentioning him is given in Winston Churchill's "The Story of the Malakand Field Campaign".

He later achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel dying of illness contracted whilst serving in Mesopotamia during World War I. His wife Edith was awarded the Royal Red Cross.[5]

His medal sold at auction in December 2014 for £312,000.[2] It was purchased by Lord Ashcroft, a collector of Victoria Crosses, and will be displayed at the Imperial War Museum.

References

  1. ↑ "Victoria Cross and medals from Lincolnshire hero to be auctioned". Lincolnshire Echo. 4 December 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Victoria Cross awarded to Louth soldier is bought by billionaire Lord Ashcroft for over £300,000 at auction". Grimsby Telegraph. 15 December 2014.
  3. ↑ Unique Achievements Bengal Engineers. Archived 15 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine.
  4. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 26968. pp. 3165–3165. 20 May 1898. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  5. ↑ CWGC entry
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