Oliver Cyril Spencer Watson VC DSO (7 September 1876 – 28 March 1918) was an English soldier in the First World War. He 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.
Watson was commissioned into the Green Howards from Sandhurst in 1897 and posted to their 2nd battalion in India. He served in the Tirah Expedition 1897-8 on the North West Frontier where he was severely wounded and the Boxer Rebellion 1900. He was promoted Lieutenant in 1898 and after being invalided from India in 1903 he retired to the reserve of regular officers in 1904. In 1909 he joined the 1st County of London Yeomanry (Middlesex, Duke of Cambridge's Hussars). He was promoted Lieutenant in 1911, Captain in 1913. He served in Gallipoli in April 1915 and was promoted to Major in July 1915, before returning to the UK. Attached to the 2nd/5th Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in 1916, he went to France as the second-in-command in 1917. He was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the DSO in May 1917, having been wounded at Bullecourt on 3 May 1917.
Read more about Oliver Cyril Spencer Watson: Victoria Cross
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