Daril Watson
General Sir Daril Gerard Watson GCB CBE MC (17 October 1888 − 1 July 1967) was a senior British Army officer who saw service during both World War I and World War II.
Sir Daril Watson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 17 October 1888 Edmonton, London, England |
| Died | 1 July 1967 (aged 78) Hadlow Down, Uckfield, East Sussex, England |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1914–1947 |
| Rank | General |
| Service number | 9758 |
| Unit | Royal Fusiliers Highland Light Infantry Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry |
| Commands held | 1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry Senior Officers' School, Belgaum 2nd Infantry Division Western Command |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Order of the British Empire Military Cross |
Early life and military career
Born on 17 October 1888, Daril Watson was educated at Mercers' School and, upon the outbreak of World War I in August 1914, enlisted into the British Army, joining the 10th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers.[1][2] He was commissioned into the Highland Light Infantry the following year, serving with the regiment's 12th Battalion, and awarded the Military Cross (MC) in 1917, the same year of his marriage.[2][1]
Between the wars
After attending the Staff College, Camberley from 1924 to 1925, he transferred to the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (DCLI) in 1928, becoming Commanding officer (CO) of the 1st Battalion, DCLI in 1934.[2] In 1937 he was appointed Commandant of the Senior Officers' School, Belgaum in India.[2][1]
He saw service in World War II, initially as a brigadier on the General Staff at Eastern Command and then moving on to the General Staff of III Corps.[2][1]
World War II
He was appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 2nd Infantry Division in India in 1940 and Director of Staff Duties at the War Office in 1941.[2] In 1942 he was appointed Assistant Chief of the Imperial General Staff (ACIGS) and then Deputy Adjutant General.[2] In 1944 he moved on to be General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) for Western Command.[2][1]
Postwar
Promoted to general on 17 August 1946,[3] he became Quartermaster-General to the Forces in 1946 and retired in 1947.[2][1]
Retirement
During retirement he became a Member of the Board of the British Transport Commission.[4][1]
References
- Smart, p. 323
- Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives
- "No. 37701". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 June 1946. p. 4295.
- Socialised Industries (Boards) Hansard, 8 December 1949
Bibliography
- Smart, Nick (2005). Biographical Dictionary of British Generals of the Second World War. Barnesley: Pen & Sword. ISBN 1844150496.
External links
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Alfred Evans-Gwynne |
Commandant of the Senior Officers' School, Belgaum 1937–1939 |
Succeeded by William Slim |
| Preceded by Noel Irwin |
GOC 2nd Infantry Division 1940–1941 |
Succeeded by John Grover |
| Preceded by Sir Edmond Schreiber |
GOC-in-C Western Command 1944–1946 |
Succeeded by Sir Brian Horrocks |
| Preceded by Sir Thomas Riddell-Webster |
Quartermaster-General to the Forces 1946–1947 |
Succeeded by Sir Sidney Kirkman |
| Honorary titles | ||
| Preceded by Sir Walter Venning |
Colonel of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry 1947–1953 |
Succeeded by Vyvyan Evelegh |