Captain John H. Watson, Army Medical Corps

 

 Captain John H. Watson, Army Medical Corps

Here is an Optional Rule to add Doctor (Captain) John H. Watson to The Men Who Would be Kings.

John H. Watson received his medical degree from The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, the University of London in 1878, and subsequently being trained at Netley as an assistant surgeon in the British Army. He joined British forces in India with the 5th Northumberland Fusiliers as a captain before being attached to the 66th (Berkshire) Regiment of Foot. Captain Watson saw service in the Second Anglo-Afghan War and was wounded at the Battle of Maiwand (July 1880) by a jezail bullet. Watson was almost killed in the long and arduous retreat from the battle, but was saved by his orderly, Murray.

 Captain Watson discussing current operations with the officers of the 5th Northumberland Fusiliers.

During his recovery in hospital he suffered enteric fever and was sent back to England on the troopship HMS Orontes following his recovery. With his health ruined, he was then given a daily pension of 11 shillings and 9 pence for nine months. In 1881, Watson is introduced by his friend Stamford to Sherlock Holmes, who is looking for someone to share rent at a flat in 221B Baker Street . . . the rest, as they say, is history.

For The Men Who Would be Kings we have added Captain Watson as a figure. By adding him to a unit for 1 point, he can automatically save one casualty per Attack or Fire action. If there is a successful casualty during a Fire Action then roll one die to determine if the leader or Captain Watson is a casualty; odds = Leader and evens = Captain Watson.  Then roll two dice and a 3 or lower will remove the chosen figure as a casualty.  Captain Watson cannot take over as the leader and does not count as a model in the unit for combat or morale purposes.

It was right over there my dear Holmes that the sniper with the jezail hit me in both the shoulder and the leg . . . "