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Regiment: Machine Gun Corps.
Died: 12 July 1918 aged 24 in France. Killed in action near Puchevillers.
Cemetery: Puchevillers British VII B 1
Son of S. B. Watson, Greenbank, Brigham, Cockermouth. b. 1894.
Lower Shell—Lower VI. House XI Football.
Magdalene College, Cambridge.
Great War, 2nd Lieutenant 11th S. Staffordshire Regt. 1915; Lieutenant M.G.C.
'The keen interest Charlie Watson took in all the details of School life endeared him in no small degree to the members of his House; and the news of his death has caused grief to all who remember the promise he showed. Upon leaving Malvern he entered Magdalene College, Cambridge; but in January 1915 he joined a Training Corps, receiving a commission in the following month, and was awarded the Military Cross only a few days before his death. In the early morning of 12th July last he was in the Support Line which was giving covering fire for an infantry raid, when a shell burst a few yards from him, inflicting wounds from which he died four hours later. His Commanding Officer writes: "my own sorrow at his loss is only equalled by my pride in having had such an officer under my command."' (Malvernian, Nov 1918).
Military cross citation: 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of two machine-guns. Under heavy artillery fire he controlled the fire of his guns in such a manner as to break-up a determined enemy attack. Later, when the enemy had got round his flank, he moved his guns and inflicted heavy casualties on them. He fought his guns most efficiently, and his conduct throughout was of the highest order.'