Difference between revisions of "Reginald James Newall Watson"

From The Dreadnought Project
Jump to: navigation, search
(abbreviate CatCaptain)
(add RN/RNR/RNVR categories)
 
(8 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
{{CaptRN}} '''Reginald James Newall Watson''' D.S.O., R.N. (17 November, 1877 – 5 April, 1930) was an officer in the [[Royal Navy]].
+
[[File:Reginald-James-Newall-Watson, NPG x185958.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Captain Reginald J. N. Watson, 1918.<br><small>Portrait: © National Portrait Gallery, London.</small>]]
 +
{{CaptRN}} (retired) '''Reginald James Newall Watson''' D.S.O., R.N. (17 November, 1877 &ndash; 5 April, 1930) was an officer in the [[Royal Navy]].
  
 
==Life & Career==
 
==Life & Career==
−
Watson gained eight months' time on passing out of {{UK-1Britannia}}.  He was appointed to join {{UK-Howe}} in the Mediterranean in August 1893.  In December, he was transferred to the {{UK-Hawke|f=t}}.<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>
+
 
 +
Reginald Watson was one of five sons (a younger brother being [[Harold Newall Watson]]) of W. Newall Watson of Liverpool.{{ToL|Deaths|Tuesday, Apr 08, 1930; pg. 1; Issue 45482}} He gained eight months' time on passing out of {{UK-1Britannia}} in July 1893 and was appointed to join {{UK-Howe}} in the Mediterranean the following month.  In December, he was transferred to the {{UK-Hawke|f=t}}, which was also serving in the Mediterranean.<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>
  
 
Watson was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} on 31 December, 1899.<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>
 
Watson was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} on 31 December, 1899.<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>
  
−
On 30 September 1900, Watson was appointed to {{UK-Excellent|f=p}} to qualify as Lieutenant (G).  He emerged, qualified Second Class in June of 1904 and joined the Junior Staff at ''Excellent''.  Taking time to command {{UK-Flirt}} for the 1904 summer manoeuvres, on 3 January, 1905 Watson was appointed to the {{UK-Goliath|f=t}} as gunnery officer where the efficiency of the gunnery staff would reflect great credit upon him.  Later that year, Watson was thanked for his ingenuity in inventing an [[Aiming Rifle]].  When ''Goliath'' paid off in June 1907, Watson spent the next eighteen months alternating between time at ''Excellent'' re-qualifying in gunnery and teaching gunnery at Shotley Barracks.  In late 1909, Watson was made gunnery and first Lieutenant in the {{UK-Powerful|f=t}} on the [[Australia Station]].  He remained in ''Powerful'' until she paid off in March of 1912.<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>
+
On 30 September 1900, Watson was appointed to {{UK-Excellent|f=p}} to qualify as Lieutenant (G).  He emerged, qualified Second Class in June of 1904 and joined the Junior Staff at ''Excellent''.  Taking time to command {{UK-Flirt}} for the [[Annual Manoeuvres of 1904]], on 3 January, 1905 Watson was appointed to the {{UK-Goliath|f=t}} as gunnery officer where the efficiency of the gunnery staff would reflect great credit upon him.  Later that year, Watson was thanked for his ingenuity in inventing an [[Aiming Rifle]].  When ''Goliath'' paid off in June 1907, Watson spent the next eighteen months alternating between time at ''Excellent'' re-qualifying in gunnery and teaching gunnery at Shotley Barracks.  In late 1909, Watson was made gunnery and first Lieutenant in the {{UK-Powerful|f=t}} on the [[Australia Station]].  He remained in ''Powerful'' until she paid off in March of 1912.<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>
  
 
Watson was promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}} on 31 December, 1912.<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>
 
Watson was promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}} on 31 December, 1912.<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>
Line 17: Line 19:
  
 
On 5 March 1917, ''Vengeance'' paid off.  At the end of the month, Watson was appointed to {{UK-MarshalNey}}, to assume command upon her commissioning.
 
On 5 March 1917, ''Vengeance'' paid off.  At the end of the month, Watson was appointed to {{UK-MarshalNey}}, to assume command upon her commissioning.
−
 
−
On 6 November, 1918, he was appointed in command of the {{UK-Amphitrite|f=t}}.{{NLFeb19|p. 730}}
 
  
 
Watson was appointed in command of the {{UK-LordClive|f=t}} in January, 1918.
 
Watson was appointed in command of the {{UK-LordClive|f=t}} in January, 1918.
Line 26: Line 26:
 
Watson was promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}} on 30 June, 1918.<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>
 
Watson was promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}} on 30 June, 1918.<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>
  
−
Lastly, Watson was appointed in command of the {{UK-Monarch|f=t}} in August, 1921 and remained in her until mid 1922.
+
In September, 1918, Watson was awarded the French Chevalier of the Legion d'Honneur.
 +
 
 +
On 6 November, 1918, he was appointed in command of the {{UK-Amphitrite|f=t}},{{NLFeb19|p. 730}} during a temporary absence of Captain [[Cyril Peel]].<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>
 +
 
 +
==Post-War==
 +
On 1 February, 1919, Watson was appointed in command of the {{AU-Melbourne|f=tp}} for a passage to Australia, during which time he failed to impressed Commodore [[John Saumarez Dumaresq|Dumaresq]] with his efforts to control ill-discipline among the crew.    He remained in command until October when he was placed on half pay.<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>
 +
 
 +
In 1920, Watson attended a War Course and a Senior Officers' Technical Course.<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>
 +
 
 +
Watson was appointed in command of the {{UK-Monarch|f=t}} on 8 July, 1921, but was temporarily superseded four days later so he could be lent to command {{UK-Vindictive}} while ''Monarch'' engaged in trooping duties.  Watson re-joined ''Monarch'' on 18 August and remained in her command until mid 1922.<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>
 +
 
 +
Watson died "at sea" on 5 April, 1930.{{ToL|Deaths|Tuesday, Apr 08, 1930; pg. 1; Issue 45482}}
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
Line 36: Line 47:
 
<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
 
<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
 
{{TabNaval}}
 
{{TabNaval}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Harold Douglas Briggs|Harold D. Briggs]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Flirt (1897)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Flirt'']]'''<br>14 Jul, 1904{{ToL|Appointments for the Naval Manoeuvres|Saturday, Jul 09, 1904; pg. 12; Issue 37442}} &ndash; 1904|Succeeded by<br>'''[[John Kiddle|John Kiddle]]'''}}
 
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Claude Alwin Rombulow-Pearse|Claude A. Rombulow-Pearse]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Panther (1897)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Panther'']]'''<br>27 Feb, 1913<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>{{NLJul13|p. 352}} &ndash; 16 Aug, 1913<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Francis Alexander Clutterbuck|Francis A. Clutterbuck]]'''}}
 
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Claude Alwin Rombulow-Pearse|Claude A. Rombulow-Pearse]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Panther (1897)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Panther'']]'''<br>27 Feb, 1913<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>{{NLJul13|p. 352}} &ndash; 16 Aug, 1913<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Francis Alexander Clutterbuck|Francis A. Clutterbuck]]'''}}
 
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Kenneth Gilbert Balmain Dewar|Kenneth G. B. Dewar]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Marshal Ney (1915)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Marshal Ney'']]'''<br>26 Mar, 1917<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>{{NLNov17|p. 395''o''}} &ndash; Jan, 1918<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Henry Luxmoore|Henry Luxmoore]]'''}}
 
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Kenneth Gilbert Balmain Dewar|Kenneth G. B. Dewar]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Marshal Ney (1915)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Marshal Ney'']]'''<br>26 Mar, 1917<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>{{NLNov17|p. 395''o''}} &ndash; Jan, 1918<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Henry Luxmoore|Henry Luxmoore]]'''}}
Line 42: Line 54:
 
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edward Astley Astley-Rushton|Edward A. Rushton]]'''|'''[[H.M.A.S. Melbourne (1912)|Captain of H.M.A.S. ''Melbourne'']]'''<br>1 Feb, 1919<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref> &ndash; 20 Oct, 1919<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Claude Lionel Cumberlege|Claude L. Cumberlege]]'''}}
 
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edward Astley Astley-Rushton|Edward A. Rushton]]'''|'''[[H.M.A.S. Melbourne (1912)|Captain of H.M.A.S. ''Melbourne'']]'''<br>1 Feb, 1919<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref> &ndash; 20 Oct, 1919<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Claude Lionel Cumberlege|Claude L. Cumberlege]]'''}}
 
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Frank Powell|Frank Powell]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Monarch (1911)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Monarch'']]'''<br>8 Jul, 1921<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref> &ndash; 12 Jul, 1921<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Reginald James Newall Watson|Reginald J. N. Watson]]'''}}
 
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Frank Powell|Frank Powell]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Monarch (1911)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Monarch'']]'''<br>8 Jul, 1921<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref> &ndash; 12 Jul, 1921<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Reginald James Newall Watson|Reginald J. N. Watson]]'''}}
−
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Frank Powell|Frank Powell]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Vindictive (1918)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Vindictive'']]'''<br>12 Jul, 1921<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref> &ndash; 18 Aug, 1921<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Cathcart Romer Wason|Cathcart R. Wason]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Frank Powell|Frank Powell]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Vindictive (1918)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Vindictive'']]'''<br>12 Jul, 1921<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref> &ndash; 18 Aug, 1921<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Charles Albert Carey|Charles A. Carey]]'''}}
 
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Reginald James Newall Watson|Reginald J. N. Watson]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Monarch (1911)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Monarch'']]'''<br>18 Aug, 1921<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref> &ndash; 2 Jul, 1922<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Francis Baker Favell|Francis B. Favell]]'''}}
 
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Reginald James Newall Watson|Reginald J. N. Watson]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Monarch (1911)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Monarch'']]'''<br>18 Aug, 1921<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref> &ndash; 2 Jul, 1922<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/342.|D7603126}} f. 385.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Francis Baker Favell|Francis B. Favell]]'''}}
 
{{TabEnd}}
 
{{TabEnd}}
Line 56: Line 68:
 
{{CatBritannia|July, 1891}}
 
{{CatBritannia|July, 1891}}
 
{{CatGunneryOfficer|UK}}
 
{{CatGunneryOfficer|UK}}
 +
{{CatRN}}

Latest revision as of 12:45, 7 April 2022

Captain Reginald J. N. Watson, 1918.
Portrait: © National Portrait Gallery, London.

Captain (retired) Reginald James Newall Watson D.S.O., R.N. (17 November, 1877 – 5 April, 1930) was an officer in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Reginald Watson was one of five sons (a younger brother being Harold Newall Watson) of W. Newall Watson of Liverpool.[1] He gained eight months' time on passing out of Britannia in July 1893 and was appointed to join Howe in the Mediterranean the following month. In December, he was transferred to the first class protected cruiser Hawke, which was also serving in the Mediterranean.[2]

Watson was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 31 December, 1899.[3]

On 30 September 1900, Watson was appointed to H.M.S. Excellent to qualify as Lieutenant (G). He emerged, qualified Second Class in June of 1904 and joined the Junior Staff at Excellent. Taking time to command Flirt for the Annual Manoeuvres of 1904, on 3 January, 1905 Watson was appointed to the battleship Goliath as gunnery officer where the efficiency of the gunnery staff would reflect great credit upon him. Later that year, Watson was thanked for his ingenuity in inventing an Aiming Rifle. When Goliath paid off in June 1907, Watson spent the next eighteen months alternating between time at Excellent re-qualifying in gunnery and teaching gunnery at Shotley Barracks. In late 1909, Watson was made gunnery and first Lieutenant in the first class protected cruiser Powerful on the Australia Station. He remained in Powerful until she paid off in March of 1912.[4]

Watson was promoted to the rank of Commander on 31 December, 1912.[5]

Following some time as gunnery officer in Royal Arthur and Aboukir, Watson was appointed in command of the destroyer Panther on 27 February, 1913. In mid November, however, he was appointed to Gibraltar, operating out of Queenstown. He would serve in her until being appointed to Illustrious in November 1914.

On 26 November, 1915, Illustrious paid off. Watson was appointed in mid December to Vengeance.

On 1 August, 1916, Watson "ably" conducted the landing and subsequent defence of the captured port of Sadani in German East Africa. This coup was followed by the capture of Bagamoyo on 8 August, where Watson was awarded a D.S.O. after he conducted the landing and led the landing party and "carried it through in the face of unexpectedly superior forces with a dash & energy worthy of the highest commendation."

On 5 March 1917, Vengeance paid off. At the end of the month, Watson was appointed to Marshal Ney, to assume command upon her commissioning.

Watson was appointed in command of the monitor Lord Clive in January, 1918.

Watson was mentioned in despatches for his service in operations against Zeebrugge and Ostend on the night of 22-23 April, 1918.[6]

Watson was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1918.[7]

In September, 1918, Watson was awarded the French Chevalier of the Legion d'Honneur.

On 6 November, 1918, he was appointed in command of the first class protected cruiser Amphitrite,[8] during a temporary absence of Captain Cyril Peel.[9]

Post-War

On 1 February, 1919, Watson was appointed in command of the light cruiser H.M.A.S. Melbourne for a passage to Australia, during which time he failed to impressed Commodore Dumaresq with his efforts to control ill-discipline among the crew. He remained in command until October when he was placed on half pay.[10]

In 1920, Watson attended a War Course and a Senior Officers' Technical Course.[11]

Watson was appointed in command of the battleship Monarch on 8 July, 1921, but was temporarily superseded four days later so he could be lent to command Vindictive while Monarch engaged in trooping duties. Watson re-joined Monarch on 18 August and remained in her command until mid 1922.[12]

Watson died "at sea" on 5 April, 1930.[13]

See Also

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Harold D. Briggs 		Captain of H.M.S. Flirt
14 Jul, 1904[14] – 1904 		Succeeded by
John Kiddle
Preceded by
Claude A. Rombulow-Pearse 		Captain of H.M.S. Panther
27 Feb, 1913[15][16] – 16 Aug, 1913[17] 		Succeeded by
Francis A. Clutterbuck
Preceded by
Kenneth G. B. Dewar 		Captain of H.M.S. Marshal Ney
26 Mar, 1917[18][19] – Jan, 1918[20] 		Succeeded by
Henry Luxmoore
Preceded by
Bernard St. G. Collard 		Captain of H.M.S. Lord Clive
Jan, 1918[21] – 1 Feb, 1919[22] 		Succeeded by
Wellwood G. C. Maxwell
Preceded by
Cyril Peel 		Captain of H.M.S. Amphitrite
6 Nov, 1918[23][24] – 1 Feb, 1919[25] 		Succeeded by
George P. England
Preceded by
Edward A. Rushton 		Captain of H.M.A.S. Melbourne
1 Feb, 1919[26] – 20 Oct, 1919[27] 		Succeeded by
Claude L. Cumberlege
Preceded by
Frank Powell 		Captain of H.M.S. Monarch
8 Jul, 1921[28] – 12 Jul, 1921[29] 		Succeeded by
Reginald J. N. Watson
Preceded by
Frank Powell 		Captain of H.M.S. Vindictive
12 Jul, 1921[30] – 18 Aug, 1921[31] 		Succeeded by
Charles A. Carey
Preceded by
Reginald J. N. Watson 		Captain of H.M.S. Monarch
18 Aug, 1921[32] – 2 Jul, 1922[33] 		Succeeded by
Francis B. Favell

Footnotes

  1. ↑ "Deaths." The Times (London, England), Tuesday, Apr 08, 1930; pg. 1; Issue 45482.
  2. ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/342. f. 385.
  3. ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/342. f. 385.
  4. ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/342. f. 385.
  5. ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/342. f. 385.
  6. ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/342. f. 385.
  7. ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/342. f. 385.
  8. ↑ The Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 730.
  9. ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/342. f. 385.
  10. ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/342. f. 385.
  11. ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/342. f. 385.
  12. ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/342. f. 385.
  13. ↑ "Deaths." The Times (London, England), Tuesday, Apr 08, 1930; pg. 1; Issue 45482.
  14. ↑ "Appointments for the Naval Manoeuvres." The Times (London, England), Saturday, Jul 09, 1904; pg. 12; Issue 37442.
  15. ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/342. f. 385.
  16. ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1913). p. 352.
  17. ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/342. f. 385.
  18. ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/342. f. 385.
  19. ↑ The Navy List. (November, 1917). p. 395o.
  20. ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/342. f. 385.
  21. ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/342. f. 385.
  22. ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/342. f. 385.
  23. ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/342. f. 385.
  24. ↑ The Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 730.
  25. ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/342. f. 385.
  26. ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/342. f. 385.
  27. ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/342. f. 385.
  28. ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/342. f. 385.
  29. ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/342. f. 385.
  30. ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/342. f. 385.
  31. ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/342. f. 385.
  32. ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/342. f. 385.
  33. ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/342. f. 385.

Retrieved from "http://www.dreadnoughtproject.org/tfs/index.php?title=Reginald_James_Newall_Watson&oldid=328865"