The second son of Captain and Mrs. Fred Watson of 267 Victoria Ave., Chatham, ON.; brother of F/O. Rayden Frederic, wireless air gunner [he would be killed in action in December of 1943]. Capt. Watson was stationed at the Listowel Army Camp and Camp Ipperwash. His older brother Rayden was at No.12 Basic Training Camp,  Chatham, in August he was stationed overseas. 

Waldon enlisted 20/06/41; trained in Montreal PQ. and Camp Borden receiving his wings 20/06/1942 at Jarvis, ON. After graduating at Jarvis with his ‘Wings’. Waldon had a three weeks leave with his parents. CDN 23/06/42 Waldon graduated as a WAG (Wireless Air Gunner) in June of 1942 and was stationed at the RCAF station, Summerside PEI. In July of 1942 Sgt. WAG Watson was reported in Chatham on furlough. CDN 11/07/42 In November of 1942 Waldon was given a furlough from Summerside to visit his parents on Victoria Ave. in Chatham. CDN 5/11/42

The CDN 4/06/43 Reported that Flt-Sgt., had been stationed on the east coast was home on furlough to visit his parents on Victoria Ave. The CDN 19/10/43 reported that WO. Watson was home on leave. For the past 18 months he had been on patrol duty on the East Coast.  The CDN 11/12/43(P) reported that WO. Watson 

The CDN 4/07/44 reported that he had been promoted to Pilot Officer, word had been received by his parents. The CDN 24/07/44 reported that Captain and Mrs. Fred Watson returning from a day’s outing received distressing news that their second son was reported “ missing in air operations on 19 July, he was still in his teens.   

KIA – Date of Death: 19/07/1944. Flying in Halifax bomber LW 672 on night Air Ops. target Wesseling, Germany. The aircraft was shot down near Cologne, Germany. Seven of them were killed only Sgt. J. C. Arsenault was taken POW.

The parents of P/O. Watson received the official notification the their son presumed dead.

“I deeply regret to advise you that a report been received which states that your son, Pilot Officer Waldon Worthing Watson and six other members of the crew lost their lives, according to the official German report forwarded through the International Red Cross committee at Geneva.”

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Originally buried at Cologne, Germany, but was exhumed and reburied at RHEINBERG WAR CEMETERY. Grave/Memorial Reference: 2. J. 9.

The letter from the casualty officer stated:

“Your son’s aircraft crashed at Cologne, Germany at 1:30 a.m. on July 19^th 1944. Your son and six other members of the crew were found with the aircraft. The remaining members, Sgt. Arseneault, has been reported a prisoner of war.”

The letter went on to say that four of the crew, PO. Daillonand, Sergts. Dufour, Boucher and Kinner were identified, but that PO. Watson, Flight Sergt. Cameron and Po. Giroux could not be identified due to circumstances of the crash.

“all seven member of the crew were buried in adjoining graves in the British Military cemetery Field 413 at Cologne, Germany. PO. Watson and the other two ”Unknown” are in graves 80 – 81-86.”   

The Casualty Officer writes:

“According to established procedure, as this is official German information, action is now being taken to presume your son’s death for official purposes. When this action has been completed, you will be advised by registered letter from the Chief of the Air Staff. Pending completion of this action, it is necessary to consider him missing believed killed”.   

“I realize that there can be little consolation in the information. I can only hope that you may be fortified by the spirit of courage which enabled your son to discharge his duties whatever the cost. I offer you my earnest sympathy.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Originally buried at Cologne, Germany, but was exhumed and reburied at RHEINBERG WAR CEMETERY. Grave/Memorial Reference: 2. J. 9.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources	Index of Overseas Deaths. They Shall Grow Not Old (reports living in Chatham, ON),, MHSB (P), CDN (13/08/42) (CVWM(P))
Supplemental Information	Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Grave/Memorial Reference: 2. J. 9. Cemetery: RHEINBERG WAR CEMETERY.

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