[The Luton News: Thursday, May 27th, 1919]

A very interesting presentation took place last night at the Wesleyan Central Mission, Midland Road, when L-Cpl Stanley Edmund Watson (South Staffordshires) was presented with the Military Medal awarded for bravery on the field. He was gazetted on October 21st, 1918.

It was no small matter that Mr Watson had preferred to be decorated at his church rather than at a picture palace. He was in the infantry, but served with the artillery in Italy.

In June 1918 the Germans broke through after a very severe bombardment lasting three hours. Mr Watson, with an officer and others, fire point-blank with a Lewis gun, and soon he and his officer were the only two left. They were constantly firing and retiring, until another company relieved them and counter-attacked.

On the recommendation of the officer with whom he fought Mr Watson received the medal. He was promoted, and since then he had been specially mentioned for leading a Lewis gun team in October 1918.

Presenting the medal, the Rev R. H. A. Routledge said he was their boy and they were proud of him.

Meanwhile, Sgt S. C. Wilson, of 30 Russell Street, Luton, who has experienced many narrow escapes whilst serving with the Hertfordshires in France and who was awarded the Military Medal, has now been discharged and is home again.

The deed for which the Military Medal was bestowed is officially described as: “For conspicuous bravery in an attack. When all the officers in his company had become casualties, this N.C.O. reorganised the Company, and, when held up by heavy machine gun fire, he showed a great disregard of danger in reconnoitring the position. Later he was mainly instrumental in the capture of 30 of the enemy.”