newbie, re Squadron leader John 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

 

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

Annie

 

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)

 

A couple of links giving a picture of Chiringa*

Burma Quintet

http://www.wlu.ca/lcmsds/cmh/back i...s in Southeast Asia with 177 RAF Squadron.pdf

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

 

Site updates

And some pictures of your father (I think)

MJC Haakenson

 

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

 

Hello and welcome.

 

New member.

Welcome and enjoy.

 

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

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!

 

Carolyn, right at the end of the pdf Kyt posted is a mention of the author's book Silently into the Midst of Things which is a history of 177 Squadron. I can thoroughly recommend this book as I'm sure Kyt and others will agree.

Silently Into the Midst of Things - 177 Squadron RAF Burma 1943-45

 

I would indeed. In conjunction with the 211 Squadron site linked above (which was his main squadron) the book mentioned by Andy gives a very good picture of the base and its associated activities

 

A few answers, yes my father did train under Sir Archibald McIndoe. we grew up in east grinstead and once we had seen one badly burnt airman, we would not take any notice of external features but learned to 'reach' the man inside. We went to those Guinea Pig dances in East Grinstead once a year, and father would remark "I hope he doesn't dance too hard - i only put that ear?eyebrow on last week. At the end the Guinea Pigs would throw their wigs onto the middle of the dancefloor.
re the pictures, KYT, I can't make up my mind if this is my father. the piccie in the Bombay group looks like him - he was 6ft 2" tall and skinny. the other pictures look a bit short etc.
back to his surgery, I remember we had as surgeons, Robin Beer (I saw his daughter last July), and two others whose names escape me for now. I have located an early photo ( the cars look like the 40's )of the hospital. Anaesthetist Tony Edridge. I am still examining fathers papers and am receiving all his hospital papers soon so will know more when they arrive. my own memories are a little rusty too now!
Cheers carolyn
Must get supper!

 

Brilliant stuff, Carolyn. Most exciting to hear of your father's work. Looking forward to more when you have the time.

 

How could I have forgotten that we posted the obit? Sorry

http://ww2chat.com/forums/obituaries/4534-john-watson-rip.html

 

Crikey, I was so excited about Carolyn's posts I neglected to have a look to see if we had anything on him.

 

Hi A Andy'
I have my father's memoirs but wondered where you have read about 'that doc in Burma parachuting down' to rescue burnt airmem. He says he lay in a Sampan hidden and got ferried up river that way! There was one incident where he flew, and was going to bale out but the tree cover was so thick, they changed their minds.

 

Carolyn, I wish I could remember! I think it must have been in the 177 Sqn book mentioned above. I was amazed to see what your Dad had done to get up river. I imagine that's where one of the MiDs came from. I'll check the book.

 

You maybe interested in using this as a resource if your Dad happened to name any nurses or doctors .... you may have names of the brave bands of men and women. Sadly while they are trying to save the lives of others they also have been known to lose their own lives. This database contains details of these people and as such you can add information to it if you have any. The database contains details from all conflicts and includes doctors, surgeons, nurses, St John's Ambulance personnel, and Army Medical Corps personnel. Conflicts range from the Crimean to Iraq.

Roll of Honour - Databases - Medical Staff who died during Conflict

Another thought I had was .... maybe if you were to look for names on War Memorials of men who may have served with your Dad ( or at least in the same squadron ) ... you may find family members still living in the same area ! .... for example ....

PAINTER Raymond Sydney

Flying Officer (Navigator), 152568, 211 Squadron Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, based Chiringa & Ranchi, Italy, Beaufighters. 18-10-44, age 22. Son of Leonard Sydney & Olive Ethel Victoria Painter, of March Cambridgeshire Singapore Memorial, Singapore.

Roll of Honour - Cambridgeshire - March

Annie

 

Hi Carolyn.

Welcome to the forum. I have read this thread with great interest and it's an amazing tale.

Best of luck with your research.

Regards,

Owen