The Airmen's Stories - P/O F S Watson

Frederick Stanley Watson was born in Winnipeg, Canada on 10th February 1915. His parents William Stanley Watson (1892-1985) and Beatrice Ann Watson (nee Winn 1887-1977) were both born in Nottingham, England but by 1911 they were married and settled in Winnipeg.

Frederick Watson worked in the motor transport industry after leaving school and married Margaret Rae Mcbain on 26th December 1935 in Winnipeg.

He joined the RCAF on 6th November 1939.

After training he arrived in England in early September 1940 and joined 112 RCAF Squadron on the 8th.

Above image courtesy of acesofww2.com

He was in a batch of Canadian pilots sent to 6 OTU Sutton Bridge to convert to Hurricanes on the 21st September. He was then posted to 3 Squadron at Turnhouse on 5th October. He then moved to 1 (RCAF) Squadron at Castletown on the 21st.

In 1941 Watson was serving with 409 (RCAF) Squadron at Coleby Grange, operating Defiants. On 11th October he was killed when Defiant AA281 went out of control in cloud and crashed near Wolferton, Norfolk. His gunner Sgt. AD Mackinnon escaped unhurt.

He is buried in Scopwick Burial Ground, Lincolnshire.