Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Memorial Plaque (Thomas Arthur Watterson) mounted for display in a circular wooden frame, good very fine £100-£140

D.S.C. London Gazette 2 November 1917:
‘In recognition of his services in submarines in enemy waters.’

Thomas Arthur Watterson, a native of Wallasey, Cheshire, was born in 1890 and was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve on 1 July 1914. Promoted Lieutenant on 1 July 1916, he served during the Great War in submarines, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

Watterson was killed on 31 January 1918 during the infamous night time fleet exercise later known as the ‘Battle of May Island’- on a misty night in the Firth of Forth five collisions occurred between eight vessels, and 104 sailors died. At the time K4 was attached to the 13th Submarine Flotilla- when attempting to avoid a collision with K3, she instead collided with K6 and K7, and was lost with all hands. Watterson is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.