John WATSON, Soldier
abt 1820 - 1866
My Gt Gt Grandfather, John WATSON, was a Colour Sergeant in The Royal Regiment [The Royals]
- he served in both India and the Crimea. [The Crimean War 1853-1856]
"The Royal Regiment", was the 1st of Foot; the senior infantry regiment in the army.
This title was used from 1821 - 1871, & was then changed to the "Royal Scots".
There were two battalions : The 1st. Btn. served in the Crimea, including
the battles of the Alma, & Inkermann, & at the siege of Sebastopol (most
members received the medal with three bars) ; it then served in India with
the Berar Field Force c 1858 (no medal), & in China c 1860 (no medal).
Returned to India, & served there from 1860 - 1870.
The 2nd.Btn. was in Canada, & was actively engaged during the rebellion of 1838 - 1839.
Then in U.K. for several years (almost certainly including Ireland, where there were always
actual, or perceived, threats). Went to the Crimea after the 1st.Btn., & was present at the
siege of Sebastopol, including the attacks on the Redan, Jun - Sep 1855 : most men received the
medal with bar "Sebastopol", but as the bar was issued some time after the medal, the bar
was usually worn loose on the ribbon, & was often lost.
John WATSON was awarded a Crimea Campaign medal; but unfortunately, the rim is so worn that it's
virtually unreadable - but there is a date: 1855.
It is difficult to be sure which battalion John served with, as it appears he was promoted several
times to reach the rank of Clr.Sgt. ; apparently, it was usual to move an N.C.O. to another btn. on
promotion ; he could also have been sent back to the regimental depot to help train recruits.
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In about 1853, he married Catherine O'CONNOR, born 1821 in Bandon, Co. Cork, Ireland.
Was his battalion stationed in Ireland at the time, I wonder, as I have just discovered that there
WAS an English Garrison at Bandon, Co. Cork.
I have no idea as yet where John WATSON served in India, but as the Indian Mutiny started in the spring
of 1857, it is possible that some of the families were sent back to the U.K., & hence the family legend
about the birth of John & Catherine's daughter, Catherine, at sea, off Gibralter, in July 1857.
+++My sincere thanks to Vic Potter in Canada for information about "The Royals" and advice on future research+++
Catherine O'CONNOR - from Bandon, Co. Cork, Ireland.
Catherine WATSON -
Louis Henry PALMER
Wisbech PALMERs
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This page created 27 March 2002
and amended/updated 18:35 17/02/2019