11th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment.

Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in the London Gazette of 30 October 1918.

Watson was a native of Nelson, Lancashire.

The citation for his Distinguished Conduct Medal reads, "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During our advance, the line of which the section of which L/Corporal Watson was fighting formed part, swept over some dugouts which were thought to be empty. After he and his comrades had gone on a few yards, some of the enemy came out and attacked them in the rear. L/Corporal Watson was hit, but turned round and dashed at the enemy, bayoneting two of them, on which the remainder surrendered. His prompt and courageous action prevented serious disorganisation occurring in the platoon at a critical moment."