Fischer Watson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fischer Watson
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| Born | 3 September 1884 Langport, England |
| Died | 14 August 1960 (aged 75) Chichester, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1899–1935 1939–1945 |
| Rank | Rear Admiral |
| Commands held | New Zealand Division HMS Nelson HMS Caledon HMS Velox HMS Shakespeare HMS Tempest HMS Loyal |
| Battles/wars | First World War Second World War |
| Awards | Commander of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Service Order & Bar Mention in Despatches (3) |
Rear Admiral Fischer Burges Watson was an important officer in the Royal Navy, the United Kingdom's navy. He was born on September 3, 1884, and passed away on August 14, 1960. He is well-known for serving as the Commander-in-Chief of the New Zealand Division. He received several awards for his service, including the Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Fischer Watson was born in Langport, England. His father, Burges Watson, was also a Rear Admiral in the navy. Fischer went to Ashdown House and the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. These were special schools for people who wanted to join the navy.
Early Career
Watson joined the Royal Navy as a cadet in 1899 when he was just 15 years old. A cadet is a young person training to become an officer. In 1902, he became a Midshipman. This is another rank for a junior officer. He was posted to HMS Ariadne, a large warship that was the main ship for the North America and West Indies Station.
World War Service
Watson served bravely in the First World War. He was the Commanding Officer of several destroyer ships. Destroyers are fast warships designed to protect larger ships. He commanded HMS Loyal, HMS Tempest, and HMS Shakespeare during the war.
After the First World War, he continued to rise through the ranks. He commanded HMS Velox and later became the Commanding Officer of the cruiser HMS Caledon in 1924. A cruiser is a type of warship that is smaller than a battleship but larger than a destroyer.
In 1930, he took command of the battleship HMS Nelson. Battleships were the largest and most powerful warships of their time. Two years later, in 1932, he became the Commander-in-Chief of the New Zealand Division. This meant he was in charge of all Royal Navy ships and personnel based in New Zealand.
Watson retired from the navy in 1935. However, he was called back to duty in 1939 when the Second World War began. During this war, he helped manage important naval operations. He worked with the Commander-in-Chief Western Approaches, which was responsible for protecting shipping lanes in the Atlantic Ocean. He also became Commodore of Ocean Convoys. Convoys are groups of merchant ships traveling together with naval escorts to protect them from enemy attacks.
Later in the war, he was a Senior Officer for Landing Ship Tank Flotilla in the Mediterranean Fleet. Landing Ship Tanks (LSTs) were special ships used to carry troops and vehicles for landings on enemy shores. His last role was as Flag Officer-in-Charge at Harwich in September 1944. He retired for the second time in 1945 after the war ended.
In 1935, he was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal for his service.
Family Life
In 1909, Fischer Watson married Sybil Mona Caroline Holden. They had three daughters together. After his first wife passed away, he married Mabel Harford Underwood in 1931.
