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Rank : Lieutenant Colonel

Army Number : 41621

Unit : 2nd Bn, Royal 1st Bn

Biography :

Derek Watson was educated at Uppingham School, where he was an Under Officer in the OTC. In 1928 he trained with British Olympic ski team. He was commissioned into The Leicestershire Regiment as 2nd Lieutenant on 13.4.1929 (Supplementary Reserve of Officers). He joined 2nd Bn in Catterick and then in Londonderry. He was a Member of the 2nd Bn rugby team in 1932, runners-up in the Army Rugby Cup Final of 1932. He also played rugby for the Army. In Londonderry he was whipper-in of the Garrison Drag Hunt, and played golf to a good standard. He was promoted Lieutenant on 21.6.1934. Transferred to The King's Afican Rifles (KAR) in 1935 (with which he served till 1953). Served with the KAR in East Africa 1935-1941 and was ADC to the Governor of Tanganyika for a time. Promoted Captain on 21.6.1939. He was awarded the Mention in Despatches as CO 4th KAR in Somaliland (L.G. 11.2.1941) and the D.S.O. for his gallantry in Assam/Burma, Sep-Nov 1944 (L.G. 13.9.1945). He led the East Africa Army contingent on the Victory Parade in London 1946. He rejoined The Royal Leicestershire Regiment in early 1953 as Bn 2IC, and commanded 1st R Leicesters in Iserlohn (Germany), The Sudan and Cyprus 28.6.1953-27.6.1956; this was his fifth command appointment. He then worked at RCB Westbury until he retired from the Army on 3.10.1958. He died in 2002, aged 91 years.
There is a brass memorial plaque to his memory in the Regimental Chapel in Leicester Cathedral. This page was last edited on 11.6.2019.

His obituary in The Green Tiger newsletter of Autumn 2002 reads,
"Derek Watson was born into a military family on 21 June 1910. in Farnborough. He followed his father and grandfather to Uppingham School. and from a very early age was keen to become a soldier. At school he distinguished himself on the sports’ field but, in his own words. found the more scholarly pursuits “exceedingly boring”. After an academic struggle to try to pass the Army Entrance Exam. he decided to try to gain the Supplementary Reserve where he could sit a special exam which successfully led him to a Reserve Commission in April 1929. If he played his cards right he then knew that he had a very good chance of obtaining a Regular Commission. In late 1928 he was seriously injured in a skiing accident whilst training with the British Olympic Team. Nevertheless he subsequently persuaded the wife of the surgeon who had treated him to take him to the nearest military unit, which happened to be the Depot of The Leicestershire Regiment. He hobbled in before the Adjutant. Captain Philip Palmer, who looked down his nose at him but did persuade the Depot Commander Major Tito Utterson to see him. He said "I would like to join your Regiment, Sir”, and the subsequent interview was short and to the point! The first question was "Why didn‘t you go to Sandhurst like all the other applicants?” He replied. “I failed the exam, Sir, and I was too old to have another go”. Having found that his father was a Cavalry Officer, he was asked “Why didn‘t you join your father‘s Regiment‘?”. to which he replied “I couldn‘t afford to do so”. In desperation the Depot Commander said "Why can't you stand up straight and keep still?". Having heard of the skiing accident, he said in an exasperated tone. “I have never heard such bloody cheek in all my life. You are a half wit, a pauper and a cripple. However, go and see the MO and, if he passes you fit for active service, I will take you." Here started a long and a very happy association with The Tigers. He was commissioned into the 2nd Battalion in June 1931 and served his first four years in Richmond, Catterick and Londonderry. He was determined to enjoy his soldiering and the social and sporting opportunities that came his way. He walked the line and hunted at least three times a week, plus 36 holes of golf every weekend. He played rugger for the Army with another legendary Tiger, Tony Novis, and any other sport that there was time for. His high standard of living led to a serious breakdown of cordial relations with his Bank Manager and in 1935 he transferred to The King’s African Rifles where new challenges and better rates of pay were a big attraction. For the next 17 years his life was full of adventure, sporting triumphs and great military achievements which included four periods of command and the award of a DSO in October 1944. His citation, signed by the GOC 14th Army Group, Lieutenant General Bill Slim, mentioned his skill, gallantry, determination and fine leadership over a protracted period in Burma. He left Kenya in 1953 when he was selected to command 1st Battalion The Royal Leicestershire Regiment. He started as Second-in-Command and assumed command in June in lserlohn. This was his fifth command appointment, which in itself must be a rarely achieved record. After receiving new Colours in 1954, the Battalion left Germany and, after a short spell on Salisbury Plain, embarked for the Sudan where the Battalion was the last British one to serve there before Sudanese Independence. It was an experience which was relished by everyone. HQ was in Khartoum and there was a company detachment in Gebeit, where a commemorative Regimental cairn was erected to join all those of previous Regiments who had served there over the years, including our own Regiment [in 1923-25]. The culmination came with a series of farewell and handover parades carried out with the efficient ceremonial which was another of Derek‘s attributes. In October 1955 the Battalion then moved to Cyprus during the EOKA emergency and, having moved from the transit camp at Famagusta, went to Aghirda from where the Battalion was deployed along the Northern Coast. The tour of duty was eventful in successes against EOKA, but sad in terms of casualties.
Derek was an inspirational Commanding Officer who, after his three happy and productive years in command, handed over in February 1956 and then spent three years at The Regular Commissions Board before retiring from the Army in January 1960. He then worked for The Milk Marketing Board for seventeen years and, after a further three years as County Director of The Red Cross, he retired to join his wife Barbara, his daughter Sally and son David in Warminster in 1980. He maintained a tremendous zest for life and always had the most amazing amount of energy, and the ability to enjoy himself. He was a fine communicator and was always able to bridge the generation gap. It was a real tonic, with never a dull moment, to be in his company, and his drive, enthusiasm and generosity of spirit were an inspiration to all of us. He started as a Tiger and, after the interlude with the King’s African Rifles, he finished with the honour and privilege of commanding The Tigers. He was a regular and enthusiastic supporter of all Regimental occasions and we salute a gallant officer, gentleman and sportsman who will be missed by all who knew him. He died on 29th April last, just short of his ninety second birthday which fell, most appropriately, on Royal Tigers’ Weekend. He is survived by his son and daughter and their families."

This page was last edited on 11.6.2019.

Date of Birth : 21.6.1910

Place of Birth : Farnborough, Hants

Date of Death : 29.4.2002

Place of Death : Warminster, Wilts

Civil Occupation : Milk Marketing Board

Period of Service : 1929-60

Conflicts : WW2, Cyprus Emergency

Places Served : England, Northern Ireland, Kenya, Somaliland, Ceylon, India, Burma, Germany, The Sudan, Cyprus