Bertram Chalmers Watson

Vice-Admiral Bertram Chalmers Watson, C.B., D.S.O., Royal Navy (20 March, 1887 – ) served in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Watson was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 15 May, 1908.

He was sent to Dryad to qualify in navigation on 29 January, 1910, emerging on 4 August despite taking a break on 28 June to serve in Cæsar during the annual manoeuvres. His then became assistant navigator in Vanguard on 4 August, but remained there only a month. He was then navigation officer in a succession of cruisers: appointed to Hebe on 26 September, 1910, Apollo on 20 March, 1911 and Medea on 1 August, 1912.

Great War

Watson studied German in early 1914 and was appointed as Lieutenant (N) in Arethusa on 6 July, 1914. He was in her until she was lost to a mine on 11 February, 1916. He was then appointed Lieutenant (N) to Canterbury for six weeks and then in Carysfort. When the Commodore's flag transferred to Centaur, Watson followed.

Watson was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 15 May, 1916. He remained as navigator in Centaur until January, 1918. He then moved to Curacoa, in which he finished out the war, being promoted to the rank of Commander on 30 June, 1918.

Post-War

Watson was promoted to the rank of Captain on 31 December, 1925.

Watson was appointed to Broke on 31 May, 1928, taking command upon her commissioning and also becoming Captain (D) of the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla. He'd be superseded in this position in April, 1930.

Watson was appointed in command of the light cruiser Curlew in July, 1932.

In August, 1933, he was appointed in command of the battleship Valiant.

Watson was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 23 July, 1936.

World War II

On 18 January, 1940, he was appointed Flag Officer in Charge, Greenock.

Watson was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on the Retired List on 4 May, 1940. He was placed on the Retired List on 6 May.

On 3 March, 1942, he joined the Liverpool Convoy Pool, serving in the rank of Commodore, Second Class, R.N.R.. He stayed there until 1 March, 1943. In May, 1943 he was sent to work with the Engineering Selection Board, Scotland Region. This work apparently entailed finding suitable cadets for training in the engineering field. In July, 1943 this appointment was terminated.

On 31 October, 1943 he was made Flag Officer Commanding, Iceland, where he served in the rank of Rear Admiral until 7 August, 1945.

See Also

• Wikipedia

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Hector Boyes	Captain of H.M.S. Hollyhock 15 Oct, 1921 – 29 Dec, 1923	Succeeded by Alfred G. Peace
Preceded by Cyril H. G. Benson	Captain of H.M.S. Broke 31 May, 1928 – Apr, 1930	Succeeded by Clive D. Arbuthnot
Preceded by Cyril H. G. Benson	Captain (D), Fourth Destroyer Flotilla 31 May, 1928 – Apr, 1930	Succeeded by Hugh H. Rogers
Preceded by Charles A. Browne	Captain of H.M.S. Curlew 22 Jul, 1932 – 24 Aug, 1933	Succeeded by Charles N. E. Currey
Preceded by Wellwood G. C. Maxwell	Captain of H.M.S. Valiant 24 Aug, 1933 – Aug, 1934	Succeeded by Alfred H. Taylor
Preceded by Robert H. T. Raikes	Rear-Admiral (S) 15 Dec, 1938 – 18 Jan, 1940	Succeeded by Sir Max Horton