Person    | Male  Born 7/9/1876  Died 28/3/1918

Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Cyril Spencer Watson, VC

War dead, WW1 i

Commemorated on a memorial as having died in WW1.

Born Oliver Cyril Spencer Watson. After leaving the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, he served in India, Gallipoli and eventually France.

On 28th March 1918 at Rossignol Wood, north of Hebuterne, a counter-attack had been made against the enemy, but was in danger of failing. Watson saw that immediate action was needed and led his remaining small reserve organising bombing parties under intense fire. Outnumbered, he finally ordered his men to retreat, remaining himself in a communication trench to cover the retirement. The assault he led was at a critical moment and without doubt saved the line, but he was killed covering the withdrawal. He was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for his deeds.

Awarded the VC for his heroism on 28 March 1918, aged 41, while serving in the King’s Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry). "As an acting Lieutenant Colonel commanding the 2nd/5th Battalion, King’s Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry) at Rossignol Wood, north of Hebuterne, France, he had made a counter-attack against the enemy position. At first this achieved its objective, but as they were holding out in two improvised strong-points, Lieutenant Colonel Watson saw that immediate action was necessary and led his remaining small reserve to the attack, organising bombing parties and leading attacks under intense fire. He held his life as nothing, his splendid bravery inspired his troops; such self-sacrificing devotion and exceptionally gallant leading, knowing he faced almost certain death. Outnumbered, he finally ordered his men to retire, remaining himself in a communication trench to cover the retirement. The assault he led was at a critical moment and without doubt saved the line, but he was killed covering the withdrawal. (Gommecourt, France)". Freemason at: №3427, Loddon Lodge.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Cyril Spencer Watson, VC

Commemorated ati

Freemason VCs - Z4 - Throssell, Toye, Watson

Hugo Vivian Hope Throssell, 29-30 August 1915, Age 30, 10th Light Horse Regim...

Read More

Oliver Watson VC

{Beneath an image of a Victoria Cross medal:} Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Watso...

Read More

Other Subjects

Irene Philomena de Souza Turner

Irene Philomena de Souza Turner

Born as Irene Philomena de Sousa. Married Christopher Turner after 1958, while he was in the Colonial Service in Tanganyika. They had three children Paul, Eva, and Camilla. 

Person, Friend / family

1 memorial
Able Seaman W. F. Parker
War dead, WW1
1 memorial
E.G. Walsh
War dead, WW1
1 memorial
W. B. Lund

W. B. Lund

Worked at the Stock Exchange and died in WW1.

Person

War dead, WW1
1 memorial
Private Leonard Philip Maris

Private Leonard Philip Maris

Leonard Philip Maris was born in 1886 in Willesborough, Ashford, Kent, the youngest of the ten children of Alfred Maris (1841-1886) and Mary Ann Maris née Chittenden (1846-1930).His birth was regis...

Person, Transport, Germany

War dead, WW1
1 memorial

Previously viewed

Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society

Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society

Retailer. Originally established as the Royal Arsenal Supply Association, by twenty workers from the Royal Arsenal. It was renamed in 1872, and expanded from just being a food retailer, into a vast...

Group, Commerce, Food & Drink

4 memorials
Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II

Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II

Our picture shows Queen Elizabeth II in the River Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant which took place in the cold and pouring rain on 3 June. Diamond represents 60 years.

Event, Royalty

19 memorials
Baroness Angela Georgina Burdett-Coutts

Baroness Angela Georgina Burdett-Coutts

One of the great Victorian philanthropists who sought to rid London of its slums. Also one of the richest women in Britain in the mid 19th Century, widely respected for her undying generosity and p...

Person, Philanthropy

11 memorials