Name Daril Watson Allegiance United Kingdom Rank General | Service/branch British Army Died July 1, 1967 | |
Commands held 1st Bn Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
2nd Division
Western Command Battles/wars World War I
World War II Awards Order of the Bath, Order of the British Empire, Military Cross | ||
Battles and wars World War I, World War II | ||
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.
Contents
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. 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.
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. In 1937 he was appointed Commandant of the Senior Officers' School, Belgaum in India.
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.
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. In 1942 he was appointed Assistant Chief of the Imperial General Staff (ACIGS) and then Deputy Adjutant General. In 1944 he moved on to be General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) for Western Command.
Postwar
Promoted to general on 17 August 1946, he became Quartermaster-General to the Forces in 1946 and retired in 1947.
Retirement
During retirement he became a Member of the Board of the British Transport Commission.