Born in Edinburgh on the 18th of December 1832.
Originally noted for a commission in February of 1848. His mother, the Honble. Mrs. Georgina Browne, wrote from 7 Wilton Place, Belgrave Square:
"Having been obliged to return home from Italy owing to the dangerous illness of my mother, Lady Drecie, I also learn that my eldest son, William Watson, is now ready for the examination at Sandhurst, and I shall be obliged by your informing me when he must come up to town for that purpose.
I do not know if it would be proper for me to mention such a request, in that he could be appointed to a light cavalry regiment which has just returned from foreign service. It would be such a great comfort to me, at any rate for the present."
A Henry E. Browne wrote from the same address on the 5th of March 1852:
"Following the absence of Mrs. Browne, she being in attendance at the death-bed of her mother, Lady Drecie, he ventured to trouble his Lordship with the request that, understanding that Mrs. Browne had expressed a preference for the 17th Lancers (a comment on the reverse of the letter, by the Horse Guards was, "This is the first I know of this particular preference") but to await this could much retard the date of his commission and the fact that there would be no difficulty in getting an exchange into the 17th, I venture, on Mrs. Browne's behalf, that William Watson will not be passed over in the case of a vacancy occurring in any other Light Cavalry regiment."
Cornet in the 16th Lancers: 16th of April 1852.
Cornet in the 17th Lancers (by appointment): 28th of May 1852.
Lieutenant, 17th Lancers: 15th of September 1854.
Captain, 17th Lancers: 12th of January 1855.
Embarked aboard the S.T. "Sarah Sands" for the Crimea on the 18th of June 1855 and joined the regiment on the 16th of July 1855.
He was sent to Scutari aboard H.M.S. "Candia" on the 10th of November 1855.
Served in the Crimea and Turkey to the 28th of April 1856.
Retired, by the sale of his commission, on the 10th of April 1857.
Served with the Regiment during the latter part of the Siege and fall of Sebastopol as Captain, under Sir William Codrington.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasp for Sebastopol and the Turkish Medal.