British Commonwealth Groups

Lot 4708    Session 15 ( 7.30pm Thursday 20th November)    British Commonwealth Groups

Estimate $1,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au

GROUP OF FIVE WITH USA DFC: 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45; New Zealand War Service Medal 1939-45; USA Distinguished Flying Cross. Flt. Lieut. W.R.B Watson R.N.Z.A.F. on first four medals, Flt. Lieut. W.R.B Watson Royal New Zealand Air Force on last medal. First four medals impressed in small font, the last chisel engraved. Swing mounted, good very fine.

US DFC: Supplement to LG 13/8/1943, p3632NZ Gazette No.67, 3/8/1944.

Citation: 'For heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Flight Commander of the RNZAF Squadron, serving under Command of Marine Aircraft Group FOURTEEN, First Marine Aircraft Wing, in combat against enemy Japanese forces at Guadalcanal from January 3 to 18, 1943. With great foresight and skill, Flight Lieutenant Watson consistently carried out the many and varied patrols assigned to him. On January 11 he led the first night bombing raid on Munda to be made by his Squadron and in spite of heavy anti-aircraft fire and a bad weather front, successfully bombed the runway of that vital Japanese airport. A few days later, while following hostile surface craft, he was attacked by a flight of Zeros but by his excellent airmanship and cool courage, he finally escaped. His outstanding leadership and unyielding devotion to duty were an inspiration to his squadron and contributed in great measure to the success of our forces in that area.'

For the President Frank Knox Secretary of the Navy.

This was the first of its kind to be awarded to a New Zealander in the South Pacific Campaign. The award was presented to Flt Lt Watson by Captain S.D. Jupp, senior United States naval officer in New Zealand in a ceremony at a local air station.

Flt Lt Watson was born in Auckland and educated at the Wanganui College and Pembroke College, Cambridge University. At Cambridge he graduated a master of arts and with honours in law. He was admitted as an English barrister in 1934.

With 1965 dated and typed letter from NZ Ministry of Defence and typed citation for DFC and copy of London Gazette and NZ newspaper article details.