Thomas Colclough Watson VC

Name: Thomas Colclough Watson

Conflict: Punjab Frontier, North West India

Gazetted: May 20, 1898

Service: Army

Place/date of birth: Velsen, The Netherlands/April 11, 1867

Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank): Lieutenant (Lieutenant Colonel)

Date of bravery: September 16/17, 1897

London Gazette citation:

This Officer, on the 16^th September, 1897, at the village of Bilot, in the Mamund Valley, collected a few men of the Buffs (East Kent Regiment) and of No. 4 Company, Bengal Sappers and Miners, and led them into the dark and burning village to dislodge some of the enemy who were inflicting loss on our troops. After being wounded and driven back, he made a second attempt to clear the village, and only desisted after a second repulse and being again hit and severely wounded.

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Other decorations: N/A

Place/date of death: Cavendish Square, London/June 15, 1917

Grave/memorial: Cremated Golders Green, London

Origin of the VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased at auction, Dix Noonan Webb, London, 2014

Current location of VC: Displayed on rotation at The Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, Imperial War Museum