The Airmen's Stories - F/Lt. D H Watkins

Douglas Herbert Watkins of Heswall, Cheshire was born in January 1913. He was educated at Elleray Prep School in Wallasey then Dunstone College. After leaving he was apprenticed as an architect to SA Kelly of Liverpool.

Watkins joined 611 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force in 1938. He was called to full-time service on 21st September 1939.

He damaged a He115 floatplane east of Spurn Head on 21st October. Over Dunkirk on 2nd June 1940 Watkins damaged a Me109. He destroyed a Do17 on 21st August, shot down into the sea off Scolt Head, Brancaster Roads and returned to Digby with his aircraft damaged by return fire.

Above: L to R: F/Lt. WJ Leather, Watkins

He shared a Do17 on 11th October and shared a Ju88 on the 29th. Watkins destroyed a Me109 east of Dunkirk on 25th February 1941.

He was awarded the DFC (gazetted 29th April 1941).

He took command of 611 Squadron in November 1941. He damaged a Fw190 on 8th June 1942 and shot down another north of Dieppe during the combined operation there on 19th August.

Watkins was posted away from the squadron in September 1942.

His subsequent service is currently undocumented until he was released from the RAF in 1945 as a Wing Commander.

Watkins died in 1969 in Exeter.

June 2021 - the cuttings below (circa 1941) were sent by Ian Dick, great-nephew of Gertrude Watkins, nee Dick, the mother of Douglas.

P/O Philip Selwyn Covey Pollard (on right) was shot down and killed over France on 22nd June 1941.