Herbert Gilles Watson
Encyclopedia
Captain Herbert Gilles Watson was a World War I flying ace
credited with 14 aerial victories. He was the highest scoring New Zealand born ace in the Australian Flying Corps, and the fourth highest scorer in his squadron.
Although born in New Zealand, Watson was a clerk working in Sydney, Australia at the outbreak of war. He enlisted in No. 2 Troop of the Australian Army Signal Corps
on 28 October 1914. He left Australia in December 1914, sailing for the Middle East; he trained in Egypt. He served at Gallipolli in 1915, and was medically evacuated with wounds, to England.
Watson transferred to the Royal Flying Corps
in 1917, and was trained in England. On 5 February 1918, he was assigned to 4 Squadron AFC as a Sopwith Camel
pilot. He drove an Albatros D.V
down out of control for his first victory, on 19 April 1918. He steadily accumulated triumphs, shooting down eight aircraft by the end of June. Watson was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
(DFC) in mid-July. His final tally was three enemy observation balloons destroyed, including one set afire; four enemy fighters destroyed; an enemy observation plane destroyed in conjunction with Lieutenant Elwyn King
; four enemy fighters and an observation plane driven down out of control. As he completed his string of wins, he was appointed a Flight Commander with the rank of Captain.
Postwar, Watson became a horse breeder in Victoria. He returned to service in the Royal Australian Air Force
during early World War II
. He died on 29 March 1942 in Victoria, Australia; his will named his widow, Rosalie Grace Watson, as executor of his estate.
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with 14 aerial victories. He was the highest scoring New Zealand born ace in the Australian Flying Corps, and the fourth highest scorer in his squadron.
Although born in New Zealand, Watson was a clerk working in Sydney, Australia at the outbreak of war. He enlisted in No. 2 Troop of the Australian Army Signal Corps
Royal Australian Corps of Signals
The Royal Australian Corps of Signals is one of the 'arms' of the Australian Army. It is responsible for installing, maintaining and operating all types of telecommunications equipment and information systems...
on 28 October 1914. He left Australia in December 1914, sailing for the Middle East; he trained in Egypt. He served at Gallipolli in 1915, and was medically evacuated with wounds, to England.
Watson transferred to the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
in 1917, and was trained in England. On 5 February 1918, he was assigned to 4 Squadron AFC as a Sopwith Camel
Sopwith Camel
The Sopwith Camel was a British First World War single-seat biplane fighter introduced on the Western Front in 1917. Manufactured by Sopwith Aviation Company, it had a short-coupled fuselage, heavy, powerful rotary engine, and concentrated fire from twin synchronized machine guns. Though difficult...
pilot. He drove an Albatros D.V
Albatros D.V
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Bennett, Leon. Gunning for the Red Baron. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2006. ISBN 1-58544-507-X....
down out of control for his first victory, on 19 April 1918. He steadily accumulated triumphs, shooting down eight aircraft by the end of June. Watson was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
(DFC) in mid-July. His final tally was three enemy observation balloons destroyed, including one set afire; four enemy fighters destroyed; an enemy observation plane destroyed in conjunction with Lieutenant Elwyn King
Elwyn King
Elwyn Roy King DSO, DFC was a fighter pilot and ace in the Australian Flying Corps during World War I. He scored twenty-six victories in aerial combat, making him the fourth highest-scoring Australian aviator of the war. King entered service as a Lighthorseman in 1915, before transferring to the...
; four enemy fighters and an observation plane driven down out of control. As he completed his string of wins, he was appointed a Flight Commander with the rank of Captain.
Postwar, Watson became a horse breeder in Victoria. He returned to service in the Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
during early World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He died on 29 March 1942 in Victoria, Australia; his will named his widow, Rosalie Grace Watson, as executor of his estate.
Honors and awards
Text of citation for Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)- Lt. Herbert Gillis Watson (Australian Flying Corps).
- Whilst on offensive patrol he encountered several Pfalz scouts, one of which he shot down. He has also in three weeks shot down four enemy machines and destroyed a balloon, attacking the latter at 6,000 feet, following it down to 1,000 feet, when it burst into flames.