Searching for Pilots - 122 Sqn & 22 AACU
 

Hello All,

I am searching for any Service History details concerning 2 Pilots:

F/O Gordon Watkins 122Sqn RAAF - RAF Andrewsfield 1944

(Enclosed is a picture of him - Not too up on RAAF Uniforms so can anyone verify that the Badge underneath his Wings on his left Tunic Pocket confirms his rank as a Warrant Officer - If not what else?)


W/O Bruce R Lucas 22 AACU

If anybody can shed any light I would be over the moon.

Many Thanks - Keith.

Re: Searching for Pilots - 122 Sqn & 22 AACU
 

Keith

The 122 Sqn ORB lists a Warrant Officer G K Watkins for the first time on 31/12/44 and also records, on 27/6/45, a W/Off G K Watkins posted out for repatriation with a number of other Aussies.

I have checked the Australian War Memorial at http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/ and they seem to list a Flying Officer G K Watkins.

Steve

Re: Searching for Pilots - 122 Sqn & 22 AACU
 

Thats great Steve - Many Thanks for the info - That is the first positive proof that I have seen of his service with 122 Sqn.

Did you get the ORB for 122 from the PRO at Kew?

I hopefully am going there soon to obtain some Records myself.

Many thanks - Keith :)

Re: Searching for Pilots - 122 Sqn & 22 AACU
 

Yes the info comes from the ORB held at Kew.
Steve

Re: Searching for Pilots - 122 Sqn & 22 AACU
 

Keith, the following file at the NAA website also confirms Watkins' (Aus.409365) service with 122 Sqn (see page 9).

"Fighter Command (including 38th Group) and BAFO [British Air Forces of Occupation] (2nd Tactical Air Force) - RAAF Personnel serving on RAF Squadrons on and after 6 June 1944 (Invasion D-Day)"
Series No: A9695
Control Symbol: 1063

regards, Drew H

Re: Searching for Pilots - 122 Sqn & 22 AACU
 

Excellent! - Many Thanks Drew - Seems like more I find out about Gordon the more errors that come to light?

His Service Number is stated as 409363 but on the String that you found out for us it is stated as 409365 & from the same Doc it lists him as a W/O but other Sources state that he is a F/O :confused: - Could just be Typo errors I suppose - is this normal or am I just unlucky?

Many Thanks for all the help Lads - Much Appriciated :)

Re: Searching for Pilots - 122 Sqn & 22 AACU
 

Is the 22AACU the one from India? I could probably help with that if there is a time period that I have to look into.

Re: Searching for Pilots - 122 Sqn & 22 AACU
 

Actually you are in luck. I have already made an entry on him.. i wasnt really looking forward to sifting through 500 pages of the docs, but he is right there in my excel file because he was a casuality

19-07-1944 Vengeance AN890
W/OB R Lucas*
CplD Emmerson *
Failed to Arrive at Ahemdabad from Poona. TO at 0933 presumed to have crashed. Later found at Harsul 73 28 E 21 11 N 27 m West of Nasik

* - Killed

Re: Searching for Pilots - 122 Sqn & 22 AACU
 

That is some Excellent Information - Many thanks! :)
I have been looking at the Indian Site for a while but could find no entry of a crash/loss on that date so your Info is most welcome.

Now all I need is some ORB details from December 1944 - June 1945 as regards F/O Gordon Watkins 122 Sqn RAF Andrewsfield,Essex.

Can anybody help out? :(

Many Thanks - Keith.