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| The London Gazette of 16th June 1859 gave an account of John Watson's bravery in the Indian Mutiny. 'On 14th Nov 1857 at Lucknow, India, Lieutenant Watson, with his own and another squadron, came upon a body of enemy cavalry. The ressaldar in command of them, with about half a dozen, rode out and confronted Watson. In the fierce fighting that ensued the lieutenant received several disabling blows and cuts from tulwars. He continued to defend himself however, until his own men joined in the melee and utterly routed the enemy.' The painting by Louis Desanges, which hangs in the corridor at RMA Sandhurst shows Watson wearing the uniform of the 1st Punjab Cavalry with a blue pagri round his helmet. He is killing the leader of the enemy group whose pistol misfired when aimed at Watson point blank. The men of Watsons' squadrons are on the left coming to his aid. |
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