The REAL Dr. Watson.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

From The Afghan Campaign of 1878-1880, pp. 233-4.

SURGEON GEORGE WATSON, M.B.,
BENGAL MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.

THE subject of this notice was the eldest son of Mr. Edward Watson, farmer, Crawfordjohn Farm, Lanarkshire, Scotland. He was born on the 4th September, 1844, and received his earlier educa­tion at the Crawfordjohn Parish School, under the late Mr. Robb. At the age of fifteen he entered the University of Edinburgh to study Medicine; and passing in the greater number of his subjects with honours before obtaining his majority, took the degree of M.B. in the year 1866, at the age of twenty-one years. Shortly afterwards he re­ceived the appointment of House Surgeon to the Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, which responsible position he held for seventeen months, availing himself during its tenure of the daily opportunities which presented themselves for improving his professional attainments and acquiring a practical knowledge of the surgical art Taking, in the year 1868, the degree of L.R.C.S., Edinburgh, he continued to practise in various parts until 1872, when he passed for the Indian Medical Service, his name appearing ninth in the list of successful candidates. He received his com­mission in March, 1872; and after passing through the usual course at Netley, em­barked in the autumn for India.

On arriving at his destination, Watson did duty for a month at the General Hospital, and was subsequently posted successively to the 33rd Bengal Native Infantry, the 8th Bengal Cavalry, and the 14th Bengal Lancers. In January, 1876 he was permanently appointed to the 13th Bengal Lancers.

In the autumn of 1878 Dr. Watson volunteered for active service in Afghanistan, and was attached for duty to the Artillery of Sir Sam. Browne's Division of the Army of Invasion. Accompanying the Division into the Khyber, he was present, on the 21st November, at the attack and capture of Ali Musjid. In January, 1879, he took part with a detachment of his own regiment, which he had in the meantime rejoined, in the Bazar Afridi expedition under Sir F. Maude; and continuing with the regiment, subsequently did duty with it on the Northern Line at various posts extending to Jalalabad, eventually participating with it in the trying return march to India in June, 1879.
On the renewal of hostilities in the autumn, Watson proceeded with the 13th Bengal Lancers by forced marches to the Kuram Valley; and in the month of December, accompanied the portion of his regiment which took part in the expedition against the Zaimushts, returning eventually to Kuram. In the course of his sub­sequent duties, which were performed in the unhealthy climate of the valley, he suffered repeatedly from attacks of fever, till at length, in July, 1880, a move to higher ground was deemed necessary for the re-establishment of his health, and he left for the Peiwar Kotal. The change came, however, too late: a few days after he arrived at his destination his fever took an enteric form, and on the 25th of the month he expired.

In addition to performing his regimental duties, Dr. Watson had been for some time in medical charge of the Head-quarter Staff. During the brief term of his service he had become universally beloved and esteemed.

The deceased officer was buried, with military honours, in the cemetery at Fort Kuram.