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- Collection: Watson, Clifford
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Interview with Clifford Watson. One
Clifford Watson, initially, wanted to join the navy because of a high demand in pilots. After being rejected, he joined the RAF and was sent to Rhodesia for pilot training, but then re-mustered to become an air gunner. He flew 76 operations in total.…
Interview with Clifford Watson. Two
Clifford Watson remembers his training as a pilot in Salisbury, Zimbabwe, but being scrubbed at the flying test. Tells of when he flew a Ju-88 at RAE Farnborough. Talks about the different wages in various trades. Tells of an emergency landing at RAF…
Just Another Tailend Charlie
A memoir written by Cliff Watson divided into 20 chapters.
The Earliest Years.
Born in Barnoldswick, then in Yorkshire, now in Lancashire in 1922. His father ran a wireless business until 1926. He describes his years at schools and a move to…
The Earliest Years.
Born in Barnoldswick, then in Yorkshire, now in Lancashire in 1922. His father ran a wireless business until 1926. He describes his years at schools and a move to…
DFC award letter to Cliff Watson
A letter from King George VI to Cliff Watson awarding him the DFC, regretting he is unable to award it personally.
Clifford Watson's Service and Release Book
Issued to Cliff Watson. Few details completed.
Award promulgated in the London Gazette dated 7th December 1945
A notification to Clifford Watson about his DFC. Citation includes that in his numerous operations 'he has invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty'.
Warrant issued to Clifford Watson
Appointing Clifford Watson as a Warrant Officer.
Airwoman
Photo 1 is a woman resting on a bed in a hut.
Photo 2 is the same woman dressed in a sidcot suit outside a Nissen hut.
Photo 2 is the same woman dressed in a sidcot suit outside a Nissen hut.
List of Illustrations
A list of some of the illustrations in the scrapbook.
24 Air Gunner Course
43 airmen arranged in three rows in front of a corrugated iron shed. It is captioned 'Moffat 24 CAOS 3/4/42 -22/6/42'. The men are wearing hot weather khaki and shorts.
Reg Whellams
Photo 1 is a head and shoulders portrait of Reg Whellams in flying uniform, annotated 'Reg Whellems at 25 OTU Finningley'.
Photo 2 is a full length portrait of the same man, annotated '(9, Forster Rd Walthamstow)'.
Page marked '16a'
Photo 2 is a full length portrait of the same man, annotated '(9, Forster Rd Walthamstow)'.
Page marked '16a'
Clifford Watson, airmen and civilians
Photo 1 - an airman with sergeant's stripes with his arm round a woman with a man to their left. They are sitting on a park bench.
Photo 2 - an airman identified as Bill Willoughby, Navigator at Wimpey port gun position.
Photo 3 - Bill Willoughby…
Photo 2 - an airman identified as Bill Willoughby, Navigator at Wimpey port gun position.
Photo 3 - Bill Willoughby…
Clifford Watson, civilians, airmen and a Wellington
Photo 1 is an airmen and two civilians seated on a park bench in Richmond.
Photo 2 is an airman with a camera. He is smoking a pipe and he is standing on snow.
Photo 3 is five airmen seated on steps in front of a wooden building. Three men are…
Photo 2 is an airman with a camera. He is smoking a pipe and he is standing on snow.
Photo 3 is five airmen seated on steps in front of a wooden building. Three men are…
Wedding day and Clifford and Hilda Watson
Photo 1 is Clifford Watson and his bride on their wedding day. He is in uniform and she is wearing a pale long wedding dress with headdress and carrying a bouquet.
Photo 2 is Sergeant Clifford Watson in flying kit.
Photo 3 is Clifford and Hilda…
Photo 2 is Sergeant Clifford Watson in flying kit.
Photo 3 is Clifford and Hilda…
Target Photos, Alghero and Pantelleria
Photo 1 is Alghero, Italy taken at 3000'. It shows a rectangular compound, fields and roads. Caption: '4.Y2.F-CHAUD.17-18.5.43.NT.F8". P4.SGT.RUTHERFORD.ALGERO.3000'.190→180MPH.7x500.2xSBCS.2x250. F.150.'
Photo 2 is Pantelleria taken from 7000'…
Photo 2 is Pantelleria taken from 7000'…
Clifford and Hilda Watson and friends
Photo 1 is Hilda Watson and friends at Richmond with the Thames behind. Hilda is in a double-breasted coat, holding gloves and clutch bag, one friend is wearing a jacket, the other a suit.
Photo 2 is of two men in civilian clothes by a river…
Photo 2 is of two men in civilian clothes by a river…
Clifford Watson, his mother and members of his crew
Photo 1 is a half length portrait of Clifford Watson in uniform with his mother, annotated 'C.W. with Mum Barnoldswick'.
Photo 2 is Hilda Watson with two civilians, annotated 'Hilda with the skipper and bomb aimer'. Behind is the Thames and a road…
Photo 2 is Hilda Watson with two civilians, annotated 'Hilda with the skipper and bomb aimer'. Behind is the Thames and a road…
Clifford and Hilda Watson
Photo 1 is Hilda and Clifford Watson standing at the side of a lake. He is in uniform and Hilda is wearing a double-breasted coat. It is annotated 'At Richmond second honeymoon'.
Photo 2 is Clifford Watson in uniform leaning on a tree stump
Photo 2 is Clifford Watson in uniform leaning on a tree stump
Spud bashing
Three similar images of airmen peeling potatoes, annotated 'At aircrew pool Scampton Aug '44'.
Flight Lieutenant Maxted, Warrant Officer Foolkes and Flying Officer Watson
Photo 1 is Flight Lieutenant Maxted with arms crossed at the rear gun turret of a Lancaster, annotated 'Fl/Lt Maxted Gunnery Leader 227'. On the turret is painted 'Phil the Fluter'.
Photo 2 is three airmen sitting on a 400 lb bomb on a trailer,…
Photo 2 is three airmen sitting on a 400 lb bomb on a trailer,…
Seven airmen and crashed Lancaster PB610
Photo 1 is seven airmen standing at the side of a crashed Lancaster, 9J-O.
Photo 2 shows the damaged wing and fuselage of Lancaster 9J-O.
Photo 3 is an airman standing beside a damaged aircraft engine on a trolley.
Photo 4 is two airmen standing…
Photo 2 shows the damaged wing and fuselage of Lancaster 9J-O.
Photo 3 is an airman standing beside a damaged aircraft engine on a trolley.
Photo 4 is two airmen standing…
Flying Officer Ted Foster, Clifford Watson and Pete Foulkes
Photo 1 is a head and shoulders portrait of Flying Officer Ted Foster. He is wearing an Observer brevet and a DFM ribbon. It is annotated 'F/O Ted Foster DFM'.
Photo 2 is a head and shoulders portrait of Clifford Watson. He is wearing dress…
Photo 2 is a head and shoulders portrait of Clifford Watson. He is wearing dress…
Flying Officer Cheale, Flying Officer Bates, Warrant Officer Pete Foolkes, Squadron Leader Chester and Flying Officer Foster
Photo 1 and 2 are of Flying Officer Pete Cheale. In photo 1 he is wearing a sidecap and is seated on a bicycle. I photo 2 he is wearing a flat cap. They are annotated 'F/O Cheerful Cheale RCAF'.
Photo 3 is a half length portrait of an airman in…
Photo 3 is a half length portrait of an airman in…
Ted Foster DFM and Lancasters in flight
Photo 1 is an airman shooting aiming a shotgun. In the background is a motorcycle. It is captioned 'Ted (Ace Nav) Foster DFM Balderton Nov 44'. Photo 2 is an air to air view of many Lancasters, annotated 'Running up on Homberg 1/11/44 at Lunch time…
Stirling landing, Blida and Lancasters on ground
Photo 1 is a landing Stirling. On the left is a control van and windsock, annotated 'Winthorpe Conversion Course'.
Photo 2 is three airmen sitting outside a wooden building, annotated 'Blida 1943 April 150 Sqdn Sgt Willoughby (Nav O), Chadderton…
Photo 2 is three airmen sitting outside a wooden building, annotated 'Blida 1943 April 150 Sqdn Sgt Willoughby (Nav O), Chadderton…