Captain Cecil Francis Lacon Watson (27 March, 1873 – 15 March, 1940). Health issues kept him confined largely to command of ships in harbour.
Although it was felt that he would make a good navigator, hint of his ill health came when he missed taking a Pilotage exam due to sickness in January 1894, though he apparently passed on that same month with a Second Class certificate and 874 marks.
Watson was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 31 December 1894.
On 15 September 1898, he was appointed to Isis for command of Griffon, but this was cancelled and The Hon. Hubert G. Brand took the post. This may have been due to illness, as he was found medically unfit in October.
On 3 January, 1903 Watson was appointed to Impregnable for command of Pilot. He remained in command until 4 December 1903.
He was admitted to Plymouth Hospital on 7 May 1908 and remained there for three weeks.
Watson was promoted to the rank of Commander on 31 December 1907. In 1908, he was appointed to Royal Arthur and travelled in her to China and back in the first half of the year.
Watson was appointed to Majestic on 10 August 1909, but found this interrupted on 3 May 1910 when he was sent back to Plymouth Hospital. After appointments for instruction at harbour commands, he would be there again in 1914 and 1916. His evaluations were uniformly glowing, however, and it was decided that he should receive appointments for harbour duty. 1922 found him back in hospital, this time Haslar.
Watson was placed on the Retired List at his own request and promoted to the rank of Captain on 20 January 1923.