Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of seven awarded to Lieutenant A.C. B. Watts, Intelligence Corps, late 9th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment

Military Cross, G.V.R.; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. A. C. B. Watts.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, good very fine (7) £600-£800

M.C. London Gazette 1 January 1919.

Arthur Cecil Burness Watts was born at Hendon, Middlesex, in 1896 and educated at Aldenham School, Hertfordshire, where he was captain of the football team 1914-15, and Cadet Colour-Sergeant Aldenham O.T.C. He won an exhibition to St John’s College, Cambridge, but instead volunteered for service. A London Gazette entry from 8 August 1915 states: ‘Cadet Colour-Serjeant Arthur Cecil Burness Watts, from Aldenham School Contingent, Junior Division, Officers Training Corps. to be Second Lieutenant.’ He served in France from 15 November 1916, with 9th Battalion, attached 3rd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. Seconded for signal service, he was attached to Royal Engineers (wounded, M.C.). Between the wars he worked for Worms & Co. at Port Said, Egypt. He was commissioned as Lieutenant in the Intelligence Corps on 23 September 1940, and served in North Africa from September 1940 to March 1942, with the Egypt Section. He was placed on the Unemployed List in 1945, and later lived at Weybridge working in shipping. He died at Watford in 1968, aged 72.