Watson enlisted as a boy soldier in 1977, into the 9th/12th Royal Lancers, and left the regiment in 2012, having been the Officer Commander HQ Squadron; a period of service which totalled 35 years and many operational tours.
He became interested in military history during his time in the W.O.s' and Sergeants' Mess. He had reached the rank of Major when he retired, after which he started on a writing career.
