Orders, Decorations and Medals

Six: Captain W. P. A. Watt, Royal Military Police (Special Investigations Branch)

1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Defence and War Medals; Coronation 1953; Regular Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R. (833857 W.O.Cl.1., R.M.P.), edge additionally impressed ‘duplicate’; together with corresponding dress miniatures; together with an interesting quantity of original documentation, including Regular Army Certificate of Servicetwo letters thanking him for his help on the Queen’s visit to Germany in 1965, these from Commanding Officers’ of S.I.B. and 7th Armoured Brigade; typescript recommendation in ‘appreciation of outstanding conduct’ from Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Allfrey, KBE, CB, DSO, MC (Commanding British Troops in Egypt), dated 12 December 1947, nearly extremely fine (12) £100-150

The following comprises the recommendation for his mention in Command Orders. ‘On 5th November 1947, four soldiers escaped from Moascar guardroom. It was discovered that they were attempting to reach Palestine by the Desert Road. The four escapees were found at kilo 108 on 6th November, one surrendering the remainder running into the desert. It was seen that one was armed.

R.S.M. Watt (S.I.B./R.M.P.) who had led the search party followed them through the night, and at 05:45 hours came up with them again and at grave personal risk to himself he persuaded the remaining escapees to surrender. It was through the determination of this W.O. and by his own personal example that the arrest of these men was effected so quickly and so expeditiously.’