Cecil Francis Lacon Watson
Captain Cecil Francis Lacon Watson (27 March, 1873 – 15 March, 1940) served in the Royal Navy. Health issues kept him confined largely to command of ships in harbour.
Life & Career
Born the son of Reverend A. Watson, M.A. of The Grange, West Cowes.
Although it was felt that he would make a good navigator, hint of his ill health came right off the bat when he missed taking a Pilotage exam due to sickness in January, 1894, though he apparently passed on that same month with a Second Class certificate and 874 marks.[1]
Watson was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 31 December, 1894.[2]
On 15 September, 1898, he was appointed to Isis for command of Griffon, but this was cancelled and The Hon. Hubert G. Brand took the post. This may have been due to illness, as he was found medically unfit in October.[3]
On 3 January, 1903 Watson was appointed to Impregnable for command of Pilot. He remained in command until 4 December, 1903.[4]
He was admitted to Plymouth Hospital on 7 May, 1908 and remained there for three weeks.
Watson was promoted to the rank of Commander on 31 December, 1907. In 1908, he was appointed to Royal Arthur and travelled in her to China and back in the first half of the year.[5]
Watson was appointed to Majestic on 10 August, 1909, but found this interrupted on 3 May 1910 when he was sent back to Plymouth Hospital. After appointments for instruction at harbour commands, he would be there again in 1914 and 1916. His condition is described as a "disease of brain". His evaluations were uniformly glowing, however, and it was decided that he should receive appointments for harbour duty. 1922 found him back in hospital, this time Haslar.[6]
Watson was placed on the Retired List at his own request and promoted to the rank of Captain on 20 January, 1923.[7]
See Also
Service Records
- The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 367. In our PDF for Hugh Francis Paget Sinclair.
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by William J. S. Alderson |
Captain of H.M.S. Pilot 3 Jan, 1903[8] |
Succeeded by ? |
| Preceded by E. Percy F. G. Grant |
Captain of H.M.S. Gibraltar 10 Mar, 1911[9][10] – 25 Jul, 1911[11] |
Succeeded by Henry G. Giffard |
| Preceded by Algernon E. B. Greville |
Captain of H.M.S. Imperieuse 25 Jul, 1911[12] – 11 Apr, 1913 |
Succeeded by Vessel Sold |
| Preceded by Robert N. Bax |
Captain of H.M.S. Triumph Apr, 1913[13] – 27 Aug, 1913[14] |
Succeeded by Philip Streatfeild |
| Preceded by Ernest Henslowe |
Captain of H.M.S. Amphitrite 8 Sep, 1913 – 5 Aug, 1914 |
Succeeded by Hubert Grant-Dalton |
Footnotes
- ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 367.
- ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 367.
- ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 367.
- ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 367.
- ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 367.
- ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 367.
- ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 367.
- ↑ The Navy List. (May, 1903). p. 292.
- ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 367.
- ↑ The Navy List. (April, 1911). p. 319.
- ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 367.
- ↑ The Navy List. (August, 1912). p. 329.
- ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 367.
- ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 367.
