Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria to include a Fine Collection of Napoleonic Medals

Six: Chief Air Fitter (E.) W. J. Watson, Royal Navy, a long-served member of the Fleet Air Arm who was present in Ark Royal at the time of her loss in November 1941 and who was on the strength of No. 825 (F.A.A.) Squadron at the time of the “Channel Dash”, when his C.O., Lieutenant-Commander Eugene Esmonde, won a posthumous V.C. for the unit’s famous swordfish strike against enemy battleships in the Dover Straits

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.II.R. (FX78715 W. J. Watson, C.A.F. (E.), H.M.S. Centaur), together with an enamelled 848 (F.A.A.) Squadron lapel badge and an enamelled key ring, mounted as worn, minor contact wear and a little polished, generally very fine (8) £200-300

Wallace James Watson was born in Manchester in October 1921 and entered the Royal Navy as an Air Mechanic in the Fleet Air Arm in February 1940.

Embarked in the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Ark Royal in June 1941, he was similarly employed at the time of her loss on 13-14 November when, returning from her part in “Operation Perpetual” off Malta, she was hit by a contact-pistol torpedo delivered by the U-81 off Gibraltar and finally sank after 14 hours - a protracted demise famously captured on film.

Watson’s subsequent wartime postings included No. 825 (F.A.A.) Squadron from December 1941 to April 1942, in which period his C.O., Lieutenant-Commander Esmonde, won a posthumous V.C. for his part in the “Channel Dash” operations. Transferring to the newly formed No. 887 (F.A.A.) Squadron at Lee-on-Solent in May 1942, Watson returned to sea in the carrier Unicorn in April-July 1943, in which period he served in the Mediterranean and was advanced to the acting rank of Petty Officer Air Mechanic (E.). Returning home in the latter month, he served at the Fleet Air Arm bases Kestrel and Landrail in the period leading up to V.E. Day.

Post-war, Watson was confirmed in the rate of Petty Officer Air Mechanic (E.) in September 1946 and appointed Chief Air Fitter (E.) in January 1954, and remained in the employ of the Fleet Air Arm until finally pensioned ashore in May 1967.

Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including the recipient’s Certificates of Service (1940-67) and his Admiralty letter of retirement; together with an official prayer book, two postcards, two sets of uniform tunic ribands, and rank insignia.

Also see Lot 556.