Plt Off Watson 206 Sqn

[Chris Goss]

Doe anyone have any information on the career of this pilot who was with 206 Sqn in 1940?

[Martin Gleeson]

Hallo Chris,

This is 40964 P/O Guy Parker Watson.

I cannot find details of his initial commissioning as a P/O in the LG (probably not posting the service numbers then).
His DFC was gazetted on 22 October 1940. If anyone could post the full citation that would be very helpful.
He was promoted to F/O w.e.f. 3 September 1940 (gazetted on 5 November 1940.
To F/Lt. w.e.f. 3 September 1941 (gazetted 28 October 1941).
To Acting S/L on 1 January 1944 and awarded the MBE on the same day (if I have read the LG correctly). The last entry I can find is when he was transferred to the Reserve on 16 May 1944. He survived the war.

I only have the 206 Sqn. ORB for 1940 (AIR 27/1222). He was flying with them during January 1940. The last record of him in the 206 Sqn. ORB (F.541) is on 27 September 1940 but this is at best an unreliable document.
He was unhurt in a landing accident at Docking on the night of 9/10 August 1940 in Hudson N7318 which was damaged but later repaired.

That's all I have on him.

Martin.

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

Guy Parker WATSON:

Granted a Short Service Commission 9th July, 1938:

http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/34535/pages/4814

See also p.4815.

His Fate:

PILOT KILLED IN CRASH - From our Correspondent.

DENHAM, March 19.

The pilot of a single-engined Proctor aircraft - Captain Guy Parkes[sic] Watson, aged 43 - was killed today when the aircraft crashed on the banks of a backwater near the former film studios at Denham, Buckinghamshire.

Captain Watson, a flight superintendent with B.O.A.C., who lived at Dropmore Road, , Burnham, Buckinghamshire, had taken off from Denham and made one circuit. He apparently failed to gain height and hit some trees.

Mr Lloyd Fraser, a rescue worker, dived repeatedly in an effort to find the body. He was overcome and received hospital treatment. The body was recovered from the water three hours after the crash by two men from Pinewood Studios.

Captain Watson, who was married, held the O.B.E. and D.F.C. He served with the R.A.F. in Bomber, Coastal and Fighter Command. He won the D.F.C. for a bombing raid over germany.

The Times. Wednesday, May 20, 1963. p.7.

PILOT DIED IN COCKPIT - From our Correspondent.

Captain Guy Parker Watson, aged 43, B.O.A.C., pilot, of Burnham, who crashed while flying his private aircraft at Denham on Tuesday, had a heart attack and died in the cockpit. A post-mortem examination has revealed that death was due to coronary thrombosis. No inquest will be held.

The Times. Friday, March 22, 1963. p.5.

and...

http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=66485

Col

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Gentlemen. This now ties up who shot down the He 59 of Seenotstaffel IV on the evening of 15 Aug 40. The 206 Sqn ORB notes that Watson took off in T9303 at 2030 hrs, landed 2355 hrs but no mention of any combat. Likewise Patrick took off and landed at the same tile in T9310. Again, no mention. However, the Coastal Command Instum says it was V of 206 Sqn that shot the He 59 down at 2230 hrs. Patrick's logbook says he was in T9310/X and looking earlier in his logbook it says that T9303 was coded V. Of interest, Patrick told me that Watson died of a heart attack whilst swimming and then drowned after the war so this would just about match.

[andy bird]

Hi Chris,

AM 1940 Monthly Report has a few lines of the combat report. Do you want me to scan it ?

Andy Bird

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Andy but I have it already. Of interest I will be at the Museum tomorrow (Do 17-related)

[andy bird]

I'll be in Building 69.