GROUPS AND SINGLE DECORATIONS FOR GALLANTRY
I landed the machine in the sea about two miles west of Khan Yunus and about 100 yards from the beach. Before the machine took to the water, I took off my leather coat and stood on the seat with one foot on the control lever. I pushed the nose down and jumped over the side. On reaching the shore, I set out for our own lines but I was captured by five Bedouins, who searched me and took everything I possessed, excepting my clothes. They started to take me back to Khan Yunus. Shortly afterwards two men of the New Zealand Mounted Rifles came along and rescued me, and took the Bedouins prisoners and marched them back to Rafa.’
He was awarded the M.C., mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 18 March 1917 refers), advanced to Captain and appointed a Flight Commander, and continued to fly operationally in No. 14 until the July 1917, a period that witnessed several more combats, including one with a Halberstadt while on a reconnaissance sortie over Gaza on 12 May 1917.
Following his time in No. 14 Squadron, Kingsley held a brief appointment in No. 111 Squadron in August-September 1917 before returning to the U.K. and, by the War’s end, had flown over 500 hours in 20 different aircraft types. He was demobilised in January 1919.
Commissioned as a Flying Officer in the Admin & General Duties Branch, R.A.F.V.R. in August 1939, Kingsley remained similarly employed throughout the 1939-45 War and attained the acting rank of Wing Commander before being placed back on the Reserve in June 1946; sold with large file of research.
1202
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of four awarded to Lieutenant W. F. Watson, Rifle Brigade
MILITARYCROSS, G.V.R., reverse inscribed, ‘Lieut. W. F. Watson, Rifle Brigade, August 1917’; IMPERIAL SERVICEMEDAL,
G.VI.R., 1st issue (William Frank Watson, M.C.); BRITISHWAR ANDVICTORYMEDALS (Lieut.) mounted as worn in that order, good very fine (4)
£900-1200
M.C. London Gazette 18 March 1918. ‘T./2nd Lt., attd. Rif. Bde.’ ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was ordered to take his platoon to reinforce an attack, and led them across a river in broad daylight in the face of sniping and machine-gun fire. He mopped up several enemy dugouts, and then took charge of a portion of the line, and was largely responsible for protecting the flank of the position against enemy counter-attack. He showed the greatest courage and initiative.’
William Francis Watson was born in 1887. A Civil Servant, he enlisted into the 16th Battalion Rifle Brigade on 22 April 1915. He was promoted to Company Sergeant-Major in June 1915 and entered the France/Flanders theatre of war in March 1916. Granted extra pay whilst employed with a Tunnelling Company, 17-21 April 1916. He was wounded on 4 July 1916 and again on 3 September 1916 - suffering a gunshot wound to the right leg. For the latter he was treated by the 134 Field Ambulance and then the 22 General Hospital at Camiers. He was invalided to Brighton on 9 September.
Recovering, he received a commission with the 11th Battalion Rifle Brigade. He returned to the front and was wounded once more in the attack on Langemarck, 7 August 1917 but was able to remain on duty. He was later awarded the M.C. for his bravery and leadership in action against the enemy.
With original Casualty Form and Protection Certificate; with copied war diary, war record and gazette extracts and m.i.c.
www.dnw.co.uk
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