Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Major

Unit:

"A" Company, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Recommendation:
After the attack and capture of Val Roatti (Map Reference 320097) by Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry on the night 5/6 December 1943, "A" Company, commanded by Major Watson was allotted the defence of the northeast corner of the town.
In the morning intense mortar and artillery fire was directed upon the position and at 0730 hours the enemy infantry made a powerful and determined counter-attack in which one platoon of the company was overrun.
The situation was critical and the enemy success threatened to drive a wedge between "A" Company and "B" Company on the left and to cause the defence of the whole Battalion area to collapse. Although in full view of the enemy and under a continuous and heavy cross-fire from a range as close as 100 yards, Major Watson moved from platoon to platoon cooly reorganizing the defence, co-ordinating the tasks of his platoon and encouraging and cheering his men in their stand.
By 0815 hours the company was dangerously low in ammunition, when three of our tanks came up. Although exposed to constant sniping and machine gun fire at close range, Major Watson crossed 150 yards of ground, which afforded no cover, personally led the tanks into position and pointed out targets to them. This gallant deed brought about the repulse of the counter-attack and enabled a key position in the defence of the Battalion area to be held.
In this action heavy casualties were inflicted on the enemy in men and equipment, including 6 mortars and one anti-tank gun captured by the company.
The defeat of the enemy in this engagement was due not only to the resolution, tactical skill and superb leadership of Major Watson, but also to the magnificent example set by his cheerfulness and courage under heavy fire, and example which inspired his men to hold their ground at all costs.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

"A" Company, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Recommendation:
On 23 May 1944, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry attacked and captured a sector of the Adolf Hitler Line in the area Map Reference Square 7419. "A" Company, commanded by Major William de Norban Watson, MC, was leading company on the left of the battalion axis of advance. The advance followed a barrage through enclosed wooded country, broken by fields of standing crops, against heavily fortified concrete and steel pill boxes, snipers and gun positions.
With magnificent leadership, Major Watson led his company through murderous German defensive fire of mortar, artillery and machine guns. In the blinding dust and smoke, although continually exposed to machine gun fire, he coordinated the advance of his company through to the final objective. In the crossing of a wire obstacle twenty feet deep, studded with 3 mines, Major Watson utterly disregarding his own personal safety under heavy fire, cheered and encouraged his troops through gaps made in the wire. Later when his officers and many of his senior Non-Commissioned Officers had been killed or wounded, under machine gun fire from as little as fifty yards away, he reorganized the platoon who dealt with these machine gun posts and continued to advance. This officer was wounded in the attack but continued to direct the battle.
Through the whole of this engagement, Major Watson's personal courage and leadership under heavy direct fire was superb and was an inspiring example to all the troops under his command.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 16 November, 1944.