Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Seven: Lieutenant-Colonel R. Watson, Royal Engineers

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (Lieut. R. Watson. R.E.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, Regular Army (1853743 W.O.II. R. Watson. R.E.) mounted as worn, light contact marks, clasp facing on first slightly bent and a couple of small edge bruises to the last, nearly very fine and better (7) £240-£280

Richard Watson, a native of North Shields, Tynemouth, enlisted in the Royal Engineers as a boy soldier on 20 June 1916, becoming a Bugler on 5 February 1917. His trade in the corps was that of electrician. He finished his boy service on 7 August 1919, and was promoted Sergeant in 1925; Staff Sergeant in 1927; and Warrant Officer Class II, Clerk of Works, and Quarter Master Sergeant in 1933. He was commissioned Lieutenant (Surveyor of Works) on 25 July 1934 and served on the R.E. Staff, in Palestine. He was promoted Acting Captain in 1940 and Major on 15 July 1946. In 1951 he was senior Quantity Surveyor, Eastern Command. He was promoted to his ultimate rank of Lieutenant-Colonel (Quantity Surveyor) on 28 March 1953, and retired on 31 August 1954. He died in 1979.

He is confirmed on the medal roll for the 1937 Coronation Medal as Lieutenant and Clerk of Works, R.E.