| Watson | James Kiero | | Captain | WATSON, JAMES KIERO, Captain, was born 19 June 1855, son of Major General James Watson (late 60th Rifles) and Mrs James Watson. He was educated at Clifton College and Sandhurst, and was gazetted to the King's Royal Rifle Corps 25 April 1885. In 1891 and 1892 he served in Burma, taking part in the operations in the Chin Hills. He was attached to the Egyptian Army, 1894-99, and served in the Expedition to Dongola in 1896 as ADC to the Sirdar, being present at the operations of 7 June and 19 September. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 3 November 1896], received the Egyptian Medal with clasp, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 17 November 1896]: "James Kiero Watson, Captain, King's Royal Rifle Corps. In recognition of services during the recent operations in the Sudan". He served in the Nile Expedition, 1897, as ADC to the GOC, was awarded the 4th Class Medjidie, and received a clasp to the Egyptian Medal. He was again ADC to the GOC in the Nile Expedition of 1898, and was present at the battles of the Atbara and Khartoum. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 24 May and 30 September 1898], received the Medal and two clasps to the Egyptian Medal, and was given the Brevet of Major 16 November 1898. He served in the Nile Expedition of 1899, taking part in the operations which resulted in the final defeat of the Khalifa, as DAAG, Flying Column. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 30 January 1900], received the 4th Class Osmanieh and two clasps to the Egyptian Medal. He served in the South African War as ADC to Lord Kitchener, 1899-1901, and was present at the Relief of Kimberley. Also in the operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including operations at Paardeberg (17 to 26 February). Operations in the Transvaal in May and June 1900, including actions near Johannesburg and Pretoria. Operations in the Transvaal, east and west of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900. Operations in Orange River Colony (May to 29 November 1900). Operations in Cape Colony, south of Orange River, 1899-1900. Operations in the Transvaal and Cape Colony, December 1900 to April 1901. Operations in Orange River Colony 30 November to December 1900. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 16 April 1901], received the Queen's Medal and three clasps, and was created a CMG. In 1901 Captain Watson returned to the Egyptian Army, and he became Major 19 October 1902, retired 3 May 1905, and was 1st ADC to HH The Khedive of Egypt from 1905 to 1914. He was created a CVO in 1912. Lieutenant Colonel J K Watson served in the European War from 1914; was Military Attache, Egypt, from 1916; was mentioned in Despatches, given the Legion of Honour, and created a CBE in 1919. He married, in 1902, Katherine Emelia, daughter of H C Nisbet, of The Old House, Wimbledon, and they had one son. He died in 1942.
CMG, CVO, CBE, DSO, IGS 1854 (1) Burma 1889-92, Queen's Sudan, QSA (3) RofK Paar Joh, 1914-15 Star, BWM, VM, 1911 Coronation, Turkey Order of Osmanieh, Turkey Order of Medjidie, France Legion of Honour 5th Class, Romania Order of the Crown 1st type 5th Class with swords, Egypt Order of the Nile 4th Class, Belgium Order of Leopold II 3rd Class with rosette on ribbon, Khedive's Sudan (7) Firket, Hafir, Sudan 1897, The Atbara, Khartoum, Sudan 1899, Gedid. Miniatures only DNW Apr 03 £650.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | King's Royal Rifle Corps |
