Watson, John Wilfred
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | John Wilfred |
Surname | Watson |
Gender | M |
Age | 23 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 26-04-1942 |
Next of Kin | Son of J. Wilfred and Mary Watson, of Linton-On-Ouse. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Vickers Wellington III |
Serial Number | X3449 |
Markings | WS- |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Newton-On-Ouse (All Saints) Churchyard |
Grave Reference | Row O. Grave 7. |
Epitaph | HE RESTS WITH ENGLAND'S HEROES SAFE IN THE ARMS OF GOD |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 261 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 546758 |
Service | Royal Air Force |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 9 (IX) |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Village Hall, Linton on Ouse, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Marble Tablet |
Memorial Text | In memory of those from Linton on Ouse who fell in WWII (1939-1945) Sgt John Wilfred Watson Air Gunner RAF Died 26th April 1942 aged 23 Greater love hath no mant than this to lay down his life for his friends |
Location | Village Green, Bardney, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone Memorial, Propeller and Plaque |
Memorial Text | In memory of the killed or missing of IX Sqd. 1939 - 1945 |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 25-04-1942 |
End Date | 26-04-1942 |
Takeoff Station | |
Day/Night Raid | Night (72% moon) |
Operation | Rostock- Heinkel factory |
Reason for Loss | Attacked by a fighter after leaving the target area, which killed the rear gunner, wounded the pilot and badly damaged the aircraft (hydraulics shot away). The pilot, F/O A F Taylor managed to reach base and crash land despite being injured in the hip or back (ORBs disagree on this) during the attack. He was awarded an immediate DFC. |