LEST WE FORGET
Captain William Phillip WATSON
Service No: NX112723 (Australian Army)
Born: Sydney NSW, 26 March 1919
Enlisted in the Army: Date unavailable
Unit: No. 45 Air Liaison Section
Died: Air Operations: (No. 23 Squadron Vengeance aircraft A27-275), near Hansa Bay, New Guinea, 24 February 1944, Aged 24 Years
Buried: Unrecovered
CWGC Additional Information: Son of William and Agatha Margaret Watson, of Cremorne, New South Wales
Roll of Honour: Sydney NSW
Remembered: Panel 1, Lae Memorial PNG
Remembered: Panel 67, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: Commonwealth Bank of Australia Honour Rolls, Sydney NSW
On 24 February 1944, Vultee Vengeance A27-275 was one of 12 aircraft from No. 23 Squadron detailed to attack enemy positions at Hansa Bay, New Guinea. During the attack A27-275 appeared to be hit by anti-aircraft fire and failed to return from the mission. Post war searches found no trace of the missing aircraft or crew members.
The crew members of A27-275 were:
Flying Officer Noel George Burnell (409289) (Pilot)
Captain William Phillip Watson (NX112723) (Army) (Supernumerary)
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veterans’ Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record B883, NX112723
Register of War Memorials in New South Wales On-Line
Bibliography:
Baker, N. (Nicola) More Than Little Heroes: Australian Army Air Liaison Officers in WWII, Australian National University Canberra ACT 2600, 1994