A fine Great War 1915 'Second Battle of Ypres' M.C. group of four awarded to Second...

A fine Great War 1915 ‘Second Battle of Ypres’ M.C. group of four awarded to Second Lieutenant, later Captain and Quarter Master, W. Watson, 2nd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, who distinguished himself when the Battalion had three companies nearly wiped out by a German attack near Mouse Trap Farm, 8 May 1915, and he himself was wounded during the action Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. W. Watson. North’d. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. W. Watson) mounted for display, generally very fine or better (4) £700-£900 --- M.C. London Gazette 3 July 1915: ‘At Ypres on 8th May, 1915. The Captain [A. C. Hart] commanding ‘A’ Company, 2nd Northumberland Fusiliers, was killed, and the whole of No. 4 Platoon killed or wounded, Second Lieutenant Watson, with the three remaining platoons of the company, continued to hold the trench, in spite of very heavy fire, both frontal and enfilade. Owing to the other three companies of the battalion being either casualties or captured, he retired three platoons to the reserve line, but finding no room there returned to his original trench, and held it until relieved the following morning.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1916 and 15 June 1916. William Watson served during the Great War with the 2nd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers on the Western Front. He distinguished himself at Ypres, 8 May 1915, when the Battalion had: ‘Moved to GHQ Line north-east of Wieltje in support 4th [May], and on 6th took over front line extending from the Wieltje-Gravenstafel road across the Wieltje-St. Julien road to Mouse Trap Farm. Strong attack by the German Marine Division repulsed during night of 7th/8th. Line held until evening when the enemy once again came forward. Brigadier Sandilands notes that the Battalion was surrounded on three sides. Headquarters, ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ Companies were rushed and - ‘attacked from every side by overwhelming numbers, the shattered remnants of the three companies were completely wiped out.’ ‘A’ Company held out in a position just east of Mouse Trap Farm until relieved at 4 am 9th. Casualties - Captains A. C. Hart and G. King Molineux; Lieutenants G. P. Legard and A. B. Cramsie; Second Lieutenants K. Shann and J. K. Manger killed. Three other officers were wounded [including Watson] and five (including Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel H. S. Enderby) were taken prisoner. Casualties among other ranks - 422 killed, wounded or missing.’ (British Battalions on the Western Front, January to June 1915 by R. Westlake refers) Watson retired as Captain and Quarter Master whilst serving with the 4th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers.