Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

Australian Provost Company, 7th Australian Division

Awarded on:

September 24th, 1942

Recommendation:
"L/Cpl. Watson was captured in CRETE. He was shipped for ATHENS and then sent by train to SALONIKA.

On 29.6.41. he escaped alone by crawling under the wire and making a dash for it.

He stayed in various houses and in early August went to NEA MOUDANIA with two others hoping to get a boat there.

After a time he left them and went with L/Bdr. HAROLD BROWN, No. 863981, 2nd Heavy A.A. Regt. And Pte. GEORGIOS PETROU, Cy. 2089, 2 Pioneer Coy (both of whom have been recommended for a M.M.) on foot to AGHIOS DEMITRIOS, where they took a boat to ANDULIANI and then to AGIOMOROS. They had no luck in getting a boat and went back to VATOPEDI where they were looked after by two brothers.

L/Cpl. WATSON then lived in a hutt in the hills above VATOPEDI with Pte. PETROU, L/Bdr. BROWN and Sgt. STUART BROWN, Nx 4120, 2/1st Bn., A.I.P., who has also been recommended for a M.M.

They were joined by other escaped British P/W and finally in April by W/Cdr. HOWELL, who spoke highly of the community as follows:

"A party of ten to twenty British and Imperial soldiers escaped from German hands during the summer of 1941. They were supported in the hills by villagers of ORMYLLA and VATOPEDI. They remained in this district throughout the winter living in the hills with very little cloting, barefoot for several weeks, and often going without food for three days. In addition the majority of them contracted malaria and two of them were extremely ill.

Many stories could be told of the patience, endurance and the determination of all these men."

On 4th May L/Cpl. Watson left for Turkey with the two BROWNS, Pte. PETROU and others.

Though L/Cpl. WATSON's exploits were not outstanding compared to others. He did an excellent escape, alone and subsequently made every effort to get away. When he failed, he was undaunted by hardships and renewed his efforts in the spring, showing courage and perseverance."

LG 35715/4158
Originally recommended for a BEM.