Herbert Watts

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Sir Herbert Watts

Portrait of Watts, 1917, by Francis Dodd
Born 14 February 1858
Died 15 October 1934
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch [Image:Flag of the British Army.svg
Rank Lieutenant-General
Commands held 7th Division
38th (Welsh) Division
XIX Corps
Battles/wars World War I
Awards Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath
Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George

Lieutenant-General Sir Herbert Edward Watts KCB KCMG (14 February 1858 - 15 October 1934) was a British Army officer who commanded 7th Division and later XIX Corps during World War I.

Military career

Watts was born on 14 February 1858, the son of the Reverend R.L.R. Watts, the vicar of Wisbech. He was educated at The King's School, Peterborough and at Tours,[1] and was commissioned into the 14th Regiment of Foot in 1880. He served with the regiment for thirty years, seeing service in the Second Boer War, where he was mentioned in despatches five times and promoted to a brevet Lieutenant-Colonel. He was finally promoted to Colonel in 1908, and finished his army career as the commander of No. 9 District in Eastern Command, holding this post from 1910 until he retired in 1914.[2]

Shortly after Watts' retirement, the outbreak of the First World War meant that he returned almost immediately to the Army. He was given command of 21st Brigade in 7th Division;[3] the division was composed of regular battalions recalled from overseas service on the outbreak of war and formed into a new division in England. Watts remained with the brigade until the Battle of Loos in September 1915, when Major-General Thompson Capper, commanding the division, was killed in action and Watts took over command. With the brief exception of a few days in July 1916 as General Officer Commanding 38th (Welsh) Division - under Watts, the 38th division successfully took its objective, Mametz Wood, though with severe losses[4] - Watts would remain with the division for the next year and a half. He later became General Officer Commanding the XIX Corps.

Watts was regarded by Field-Marshal Haig as "a plucky hard little man", and "a fine leader", but also "a distinctly stupid man [who] lacks imagination";[5] while his courage and fighting spirit were well-regarded, planning and organisation were left to his divisional staff. Watts himself had never attended the Staff College, spending his earlier career entirely on regimental service.[6]

Following the war, Watts unveiled the War Memorial at Mitcham in Surrey in 1920.[7]

Family

In 1896 he married Elizabeth Daly.[2]

References

  1. ↑ The county families of the United Kingdom or, Royal manual of the titled and untitled aristocracy of England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland (Volume ed.59, yr.1919) by Edward Walford, p.374
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "WATTS, Lieut-Gen. Sir Herbert Edward", in Who Was Who (2007). Online edition
  3. ↑ Kennedy, p. 11
  4. ↑ Farr, p. 106
  5. ↑ Robbins, p. 54
  6. ↑ Robbins, p. 37
  7. ↑ Roll of Honour - Mitcham

Sources

  • Farr, Don (2007). The Silent General: Horne of the First Army, A Biography of Haig's Trusted Great War Comrade-in-Arms. Helion. ISBN 1-874622-99-X. 
  • Kennedy, E.J. (1916). With the immortal seventh division. London: Hodder & Stoughton. 
Military offices
Preceded by
Thompson Capper		 General Officer Commanding the 7th Division
September 1915–January 1917 		Succeeded by
George Barrow
Preceded by
New Post		 General Officer Commanding XIX Corps
February 1917–November 1918 		Succeeded by
Post Disbanded
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