A Scarce Regimental Pattern 6th Dragoon Guards Carabiniers Sword. 41” overall, 34 ¾” straight blade with single broad fuller & spear point, etched with floral patterns & regimental badge of the 6th Dragoon Guards, VR, owner’s crest & initials 'WEW' & 'Henry Wilkinson Pall Mall London'. On the spine '38541’. Steel pierced honeysuckle guard, with 6th Dragoons badge, fish skin grip with steel wire chequered pommel & backstrap. In its steel mounted black leather field service scabbard.
Serial Number 38541, For 1900
Sword in good condition, blade service sharpened with minor patches of corrosion. Scabbard in good condition.
Major William Ernest Watson D.S.O. S. African War Despatches. Killed in action 1914, .
WATSON, WILLIAM ERNEST, Lieutenant, was born 3 September 1876, son of William Watson, of Bromborough, Cheshire. He entered the 6th Dragoon Guards 15 May 1897, becoming Lieutenant 25 January 1899. He served in the South African War from 1899 to 1902, being from January 1901 to May 1902, Adjutant of the 1st Imperial Light Horse, s present at the Relief of Kimberley. Operations in the Orange Free State February to May 1900, including operations at Paardeberg (17 to 26 February); actions at Poplar Grove, Driefontein, Karee Siding and Zand River; operations in the Transvaal in May and June 1900, including actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill (11 and 12 June); operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900, including actions at Reit Vlei and Belfast (26 and 27 August); operations in Cape Colony, south of Orange River, 1899 to 1900, including the actions at Colesberg (1 January to 12 February). He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901]; had the Queen's and King's Medals with eight clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "William Ernest Watson, Lieutenant, 6th Dragoon Guards. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented by the King 18 February 1903. He was promoted Captain 7 December 1901, and was Adjutant of the 6th Dragoon Guards from 2 July 1907 to 22 April 1910; was promoted Major 23 April 1910. He was K.I.A 31 October 1914 at the Batte of Messines. He married in 1905, Daisy, daughter of the Reverend T Stanley Heanor, and left two daughters. His memorial is on panel 5 of the Menin Gate.