newbie, re Squadron leader John Watson

carolyn watson · 03-16-2009, 02:22 AM

hello,
I am the daughter of John Watson who passed away on jan. 14th this year. He emailed me stories about being in Chiringa, and was also mentioned in despatches on 8th June 1944 and jan 1 1946.
Does anyone know how I can find those entries?
Also I wondered if there was anyone alive today who might have known my father. he was a medical officer in Chiringa, a Royal Volunteer

**liverpool annie** · 03-16-2009, 02:33 AM

Originally Posted by carolyn watson

hello,
I am the daughter of John Watson who passed away on jan. 14th this year. He emailed me stories about being in Chiringa, and was also mentioned in despatches on 8th June 1944 and jan 1 1946.
Does anyone know how I can find those entries?
Also I wondered if there was anyone alive today who might have known my father. he was a medical officer in Chiringa, a Royal Volunteer

Hello Carolyn and welcome !!

I'm sorry to hear of your loss .... but how wonderful your Dad was able to share his stories with you !

I found this ... nothing you don't already know I'm afraid ... but the guys who know will be here in a bit !!

Squadron Medical Officer at Chiringa in 1944 and 1945, Dr John Watson MB BChir MRCS LRCP. Granted a commission as Flying Officer RAFVR from March 1940, he rose to war-substantive Flight Lieutenant in March 1941 and to Squadron Leader (temporary) in January 1944. John Watson was twice mentioned in despatches, in June 1944 and again in January 1946.

Annie

**liverpool annie** · 03-16-2009, 02:46 AM

The London Gazette would be the place to find his Mention in Dispatches citation ... Did he have a middle initial Carolyn ?

Annie

**Kyt** · 03-16-2009, 04:43 AM

Mentions in Despatches do not have citations gazetted, just their name under the Order and Date:

Gazette Website: PDF Navigator

Air Ministry, 8th June, 1944.
The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the publication of the names of the following personnel who have been mentioned in despatches: — .

Squadron Leaders.
J. WATSON, M.B., B.Ch., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. (78230), R.A.F.V.R.

Gazette Website: PDF Navigator

Air Ministry 1st January, 1946. -
The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the publication of the names ofj the following plersonne? who have been
mentioned in despatches: —

Squadron Leaders
J. WATSON, M.B., B.Ch., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. (78230), R.A.F.V.R.

____________

His promotions:

MEDICAL BRANCH.
The undermentioned are granted commissions for the duration of hostilities in the ranks and on the dates stated: —

Flying Officers
19th Mar. 1940.
John WATSON, M.B., B.Chir., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. (78230).

MEDICAL BRANCH.
The undermentioned Flying Officers are promoted- to the war substantive rank of Flight Lieutenant: —

19th Mar. 1941.
John WATSON, M.B., B.Chir., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. (78230)

1st Jan. 1944.
Flt. Lts. to be Sqn. Ldrs. (temp.}: —
J. WATSON, M.B., B.Ch., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. (78230).

So it seems that your father was commissioned straight in as a Flying Officer, rather than as a Pilot Officer (probably because of his experience and qualifications)

**Kyt** · 03-16-2009, 04:49 AM

A couple of links giving a picture of Chiringa*

Burma Quintet

http://www.wlu.ca/lcmsds/cmh/back%20...20Squadron.pdf

* Andy, take a look - tis the home of Beaus

**Kyt** · 03-16-2009, 06:02 AM

Site updates

Personnel rolls revised to mark the passing of Russ Gourd at age 86, groundcrew in the Beaufighter days of the Squadron; and of 211 Squadron Medical Officer at Chiringa in 1944 and 1945, John Watson MB BChir MRCS LRCP.

Granted a commission as Flying Officer RAFVR (Medical Branch) from March 1940, ”Doc” Watson rose to war-substantive Flight Lieutenant in March 1941 and to Squadron Leader (temporary) in January 1944. With 211 Squadron he was particularly active in the grim task of recovering lost aircrew, where that was feasible. He was twice mentioned in despatches, in June 1944 and again in January 1946. Post-war and made FRCS, John Watson turned to plastic surgery with a particular interest in aircrew burn injuries.

And some pictures of your father (I think)

MJC Haakenson

**liverpool annie** · 03-16-2009, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by Kyt

Mentions in Despatches do not have citations gazetted, just their name under the Order and Date:

Sorry K ... I knew that !!

Carolyn ... I suppose if you're writing a book ... you already have your Dad's service records ?? but just in case ...

You can obtain his RAF Record of Service by writing to the address below - there should be a wealth of information in there and good luck with your project !

PMA IM1b(RAF)
Room 5
Building 248A
RAF Personnel Management Agency
RAF Innsworth
Gloucester GL3 1EZ

Annie

**Gage** · 03-16-2009, 03:12 PM

Hello and welcome.

**war hawk** · 03-16-2009, 03:31 PM

Welcome and enjoy.

**Antipodean Andy** · 03-16-2009, 04:03 PM

Welcome aboard, Carolyn. I hope Kyt and Annie have been able to help you. I imagine they have.

A couple of links giving a picture of Chiringa*

Burma Quintet

http://www.wlu.ca/lcmsds/cmh/back%20...20Squadron.pdf

* Andy, take a look - tis the home of Beaus

Cheers, mate. I had one of those "Where do I know that name from?" moments when I read Carolyn's first post but couldn't quite place it. Off I go to pdf land.

Carolyn, I'm very interested to note your Dad turned to plastic surgery and burns treatment after the war. Was he taught by Archibald McIndoe, Rainsford Mowlem, Gillies or Kilner? I ask because I am currently reading a book on the subject (hence being able to rattle off the names!).

EDIT: I seem to remember something about a doctor in Burma parachuting in near a crash site to assist a downed Beau crew and then walking them out.

EDIT EDIT: I've said it before but by golly I love that 211 Squadron site!