William Kenneth Watson
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 3 May 1914 |
| Place of Birth | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Death | 5 May 1976, aged d62 |
| Place of Death | Kondinin, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 28 years, 4 months |
| Description |
5'10½" (1.79m) tall ; 158lbs 71.668 kg ; medium complexion ; brown eyes ; brown hair ; scar on left knee |
| Occupation | Farm hand |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | 3 Austin street, Subiaco, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Clare Watson |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 82088 |
| Date of Enlistment | 26 Sep 1942 |
| Rank | Leading Aircraftman |
| Unit/Formation | No. 114 Air Sea Rescue Flight RAAF |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Remained in Australia |
| Medals |
War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
William attended the Kondinnin State School from 1920 until 1928, reachign the 7th Standard.
War Service
Bill enlisted in the RAAF on 26 Sep 1942 at No. 4 RAAF Recruiting Centre, mustered as a Trainee Technical grade V. On 5 Oct 1942 Bill was sent to the No. 5 School of Technical Training RAAF in Perth, before being posted on 3 Dec 1943 to No. 1 Engineering School RAAF to complete his training as a Trainee Flight Mechanic group II. He was remustered as such on 14 Feb 1943. From 12 to 24 Feb 1943 Bill was a patient of No. 2 RAAF Hospital. On 7 Mar 1943 Bill was back in Western Australia with No. 25 (City of Perth) Squadron RAAF, and on 9 Sep 1943 Bill was promoted Leading Aircraftman. On 26 May 1943 he had been approved as an Emergency Driver Motor Transport, and on 27 Jul 1943 he was assessed for suitability for aircrew, but was turned down. Between 3 and 10 Aug 1943 Bill had participated in the No 9 Vultee Vengeance course.
On 14 Jun 1944 Bill again attended training at No. 1 Engineering School RAAF, this time to undertake No. 228 Fitter 2(E) Conversion Course, returning to No 25 Squadron on 25 Sep 1944, having on 14 Sep 1944 been remustered as a Fitter 2(E) group II. As was the norm, he reverted to Aircraftman. On 21 Jan 1945 Bill was posted to No. 2 Personnel Depot RAAF, and a month later on 21 Feb 1945 he was transferred to No. 1 Reserve Personnel Pool RAAF.
On 12 Mar 1945 Bill was posted to No. 6 Squadron RAAF for a short time until he joined No. 33 Squadron RAAF on 13 Jul 1945. His next move came on 15 Apr 1946 when he was posted to No. 114 Air Sea Rescue Flight RAAF, remaining with them until he was posted to No. 5 Personnel Depot RAAF on 31 Jul 1946 to prepare for discharge from the RAAF, which occurred on 12 Aug 1946..
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 - 1968 at Kondinin, farm labourer;
Notes
Possible birth date is 5 Mar 1914