Herbert Gilles Watson
Herbert Gilles Watson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 30 March 1889 Caversham, New Zealand |
| Died | 29 March 1942 (aged 52) Victoria, Australia |
| Allegiance | British Empire |
| Service | Aviation |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | No. 4 Squadron AFC |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
| Other work | Horse breeder |
Captain Herbert Gilles Watson was a World War I flying ace credited with 14 aerial victories. He was the highest scoring New Zealand born ace in the Australian Flying Corps, and the fourth highest scorer in his squadron.[1][2]
Although born in New Zealand, Watson was a clerk[3] working in Sydney, Australia at the outbreak of war.[4] He enlisted in No. 2 Troop of the Australian Army Signal Corps on 28 October 1914.[3] He left Australia in December 1914, sailing for the Middle East; he trained in Egypt. He served at Gallipoli in 1915, and was medically evacuated with wounds, to England.[3]
Watson transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in 1917, and was trained in England. On 5 February 1918, he was assigned to 4 Squadron AFC as a Sopwith Camel pilot. He drove an Albatros D.V down out of control for his first victory, on 19 April 1918.[5] He steadily accumulated triumphs, shooting down eight aircraft by the end of June. Watson was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in mid-July.[6] His final tally was three enemy observation balloons destroyed, including one set afire; four enemy fighters destroyed; an enemy observation plane destroyed in conjunction with Lieutenant Elwyn King; four enemy fighters and an observation plane driven down out of control. As he completed his string of wins, he was appointed a flight commander with the rank of captain.[5]
Postwar, Watson became a horse breeder in Victoria.[5] He returned to service in the Royal Australian Air Force during early World War II.[3] He died on 29 March 1942 in Victoria, Australia; his will named his widow, Rosalie Grace Watson, as executor of his estate.[7]
Honors and awards
Text of citation for Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
- Lt. Herbert Gillis Watson (Australian Flying Corps).
- Whilst on offensive patrol he encountered several Pfalz scouts, one of which he shot down. He has also in three weeks shot down four enemy machines and destroyed a balloon, attacking the latter at 6,000 feet, following it down to 1,000 feet, when it burst into flames.[8]
Notes
- ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/nzealand/watson2.php Retrieved on 10 June 2010.
- ^ Shores et al (1990), pp. 376–377.
- ^ a b c d http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/nzealand/attestation/watson2.php Retrieved on 11 June 2010.
- ^ Shores et al (1990), p. 376.
- ^ a b c Shores et al (1990), p. 377.
- ^ Newton (1996), p. 59.
- ^ (Victoria Gazette, 27 May 1942) http://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1942/V/general/194.pdf Retrieved 9 February 2011.
- ^ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 3 August 1918) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30827/supplements/9204 Retrieved on 11 June 2010.
References
- Newton, Dennis (1996). Australian Air Aces: Australian Fighter Pilots in Combat. Fyshwick: Aerospace Publications. ISBN 1-875671-25-0.
- Shores, Christopher; Franks, Norman; Guest, Russell (1990). Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces, 1915-1920. London: Grub Street. ISBN 0-948817-19-4. OCLC 22113328.