Description Afghanistan 1878-80, bar Ahmed Khel, Army LSGC, VR, Colour Sergeant H. Watson, East Lancashire Regiment, late 59th Foot in Afghan. Afghan officially engraved: “196 Corpl H. Watson. 59th Foot.” Army LSGC officially engraved: “108 Cr Sgt. H. Watson, E. Lanc. R.” Colour Sergeant Henry Watson, was born circa 1854 in Buttersfield, Dublin. He saw an unusual entry into the Army, signing up at Meerut on 18th February 1871 aged just 17 for service with the 105th Regiment of Foot, Madras Light Infantry, his trade noted as “None”. He was probably raised in the Army if he was living in India at the time, his father Francis Watson was from Ireland. He would then Volunteer to Transfer over to the 59th Foot on 31st August 1873. He was promoted to Corporal on 16th April 1876. Before a blunder left him “In confinement and awaiting trial” on 7th July 1876, being soon after tried and reduced to Private by Regimental Court Martial for “Obstructing the police”. He returned to Corporal on 23rd May 1880, during the Anglo-Afghan War. He rose to Sergeant on 24th May 1882, and then Colour Sergeant on 25th July 1883. After reverting to Sergeant on 24th July 1884 he was appointed as Pioneer Sergeant on 6th March 1885. Reverting back to Sergeant on 16th September 1885. He would return to be Colour Sergeant on 5th November 1887. On 1st October 1891 he was posted to the 2nd Volunteer Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, serving with them as Colour Sergeant for the rest of his career. He was discharged to pension after 23 years on 7th November 1894. During his career he saw the following postings: India, 20th Feb 1871 – 12th Dec 1878 Afghanistan, 13th Dec 1878 – 1st Sept 1880 India, 2nd Sept 1880 – 25th Nov 1880 Home, 20th Nov 1880 – 23rd February 1884. India, 24th Feb 1884 – 14th Dec 1886 Home, 15th December 1886 – 30th Aug 1892 Home, 31st Aug 1892 – 7th Nov 1894. Total service 23 years and 261 days. After leaving the Army, he never really left, settling down in Gravesend he spent some further years there was a Army Pensioner & Barrack Warden, with the Army Service Corps. He died in Gravesend on 31st January 1929.
