John Watson (VC)

General Sir John Watson VC, GCB (6 September 1829 – 23 January 1919) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. An officer serving with the Bengal Army, Watson received his Victoria Cross for actions at Lucknow during the Indian Mutiny. He later rose to the rank of general in the British Indian Army.

Early life
Watson was born on 6 September 1829 in Chigwell, Essex. His father was William George Watson. In 1848, at the age of 19, Watson traveled to London seeking to join the army of the British East India Company. Joining the Bengal Army as an officer was initially he was sent to Madras. This offered little prospect of action, however. and Watson sought transfer to Bombay.

His first combat action came in December 1848 during the Second Anglo-Sikh War when Watson took part in the Siege of Multan, while serving with the 1st Bombay European Fusiliers. Shortly afterwards he took part in the Battle of Gujrat.

Victoria Cross details
Watson was 28 years old, and a lieutenant in the 1st Punjab Cavalry, Bengal Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 14 November 1857 at Lucknow, India, for which he was awarded the VC: "Lieut. Watson, on 14 Nov., with his own squadron, and that under Captain, then Lieut. Probyn, came upon a body of the rebel cavalry. The Ressaldar in command of them – a fine specimen of the Hindustani Mussalman – and backed up by some half-dozen equally brave men, rode out to the front. Lieutenant Watson singled out this fine-looking fellow and attacked him. The Ressaldar presented his pistol at Lieut. Watson's breast at a yard's distance and fired, but most providentially without effect; the ball must have by accident previously fallen out. Lieutenant Watson ran the man through with his sword and dismounted him; but the native officer, nothing daunted, drew his tulwar, and with his sowars renewed his attack upon Lieutenant Watson, who bravely defended himself until his own men joined in the melee, and utterly routed the party. In this rencontre Lieutenant Watson received a blow on the head from a tulwar, another on the left arm, which severed his chain gauntlet glove, a tulwar cut on his right arm, which fortunately only divided the sleeve of his jacket, but disabled the arm for some time; a bullet also passed through his coat, and he received a blow on his leg which lamed him for some days afterwards."

Later military career
Following this Watson took part in further fighting around Cawnpore and then the Relief of Lucknow. After this he returned to England briefly on convalescence leave before returning to India. In 1858, Watson raised the 4th Sikh Irregular Cavalry which later became the 6th Duke of Connaught's Own Lancers (Watson's Horse). He later took part in the Umbeyla Expedition (1863) and commanded the Central India Horse, 1871. He became Resident at Gwalior, 1877; Officiating A.G., Central India, 1871; commanded the Cavalry despatched from Bombay to Malta, 1878; and then commanded the Kurram Field Force (Punjab chief's contingent) in the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1879–80). In 1891 he was promoted to the rank of general.

Watson also served in a number of others roles including Aide-de-Camp to Her Majesty Empress Victoria, 1870–71 and the Agent to Governor-General at Baroda, 1882–86. He was subsequently awarded the KCB in 1886, and this was later upgraded to GCB in 1902. He was also made Colonel of the Regiment of the 13th Duke of Connaught Lancers in 1904.

He died on 23 January 1919 at Finchampstead, Berkshire. He was aged 89. His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.