Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

No. 2 Commando, 1st Special Service Brigade, Combined Operations Headquarters, War Office, British Government

Awarded on:

July 5th, 1945

Awarded for:

Operation Chariot

"On 28 March, 1942, during the Commando raid at ST. NAZAIRE, France.

Lieut. Watson was in charge of a protection party which landed ashore first at the Old Mole, and whose duty was to protect the personnel carrying out the demolitions on the inner lock gates.

Immediately after landing he was wounded in the leg but continued to lead is men against enemy machine gun posts which were in the path of his advance.

When it was found impossible for the demolition party to attain their objective and when the officer in charge of the demolition party had been killed, Lieut. Watson organised the surviving personnel of both parties into an assault group and kept the area of re-embarkation at the Old Mole clear of constant enemy attacks. During this action he showed complete disregard for his own safety, constantly dashing forward at the head of his small party to silence enemy machine gun positions and so prevented devastating enemy fire from harassing the withdrawal of the main body to the point of re-embarkation.

At one point during the operation he had his haversack bown from his side and later when dashing forward alone to destroy an enemy post, he was badly wounded, thi time in the arm. Unperturbed by his wounds and refusing medical aid, he continued at the head of his men displaying personal gallantry and relentless determination of the first order. All this was done on his own initiative. His courage and leadership were exemplary and the effectiveness of the action he pursued was shown in the successful withdrawal of the main body into the area of the Old Mole which he had his party had kept free from the enemy."