WATTS, Colin Hubert
| Service Number: | 416300 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 28 April 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Flight Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | No. 12 Squadron (RAF) |
| Born: | Millicent, South Australia, Australia, 8 February 1920 |
| Home Town: | Millicent, Wattle Range, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Millicent Primary School, St Peter's College |
| Occupation: | Shop Assistant |
| Died: | Natural Causes, Millicent, South Australia, Australia, 14 December 1994, aged 74 years |
| Cemetery: |
Millicent Cemetery, S.A. |
| Memorials: | Hackney St Peter's College WW2 Honour Roll |
World War 2 Service
| 28 Apr 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 416300, No. 4 Initial Training School Victor Harbor | |
|---|---|---|
| 24 May 1941: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman, No. 4 Initial Training School Victor Harbor | |
| 29 May 1941: | Transferred Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman, No. 1 Wireless Air Gunnery School Ballarat | |
| 12 Dec 1941: | Transferred Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman, No. 2 Bombing and Air Gunnery School / No. 3 Air Observers School Port Pirie | |
| 8 Jan 1942: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, No. 2 Bombing and Air Gunnery School / No. 3 Air Observers School Port Pirie | |
| 30 Jan 1942: | Transferred Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 4 Embarkation Depot | |
| 13 Mar 1942: | Transferred Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 2 Embarkation Depot | |
| 30 Mar 1942: | Embarked Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 416300, Royal Australian Air Force, Embarked from Sydney, disembarked United Kingdom 11 May 1942 | |
| 11 May 1942: | Transferred Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, RAAF Personnel / Embarkation / Holding Units, No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth, United Kingdom | |
| 20 Jun 1942: | Transferred Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, Air Gunnery Schools, No. 7 Air Gunner School, Stormy Down, Porthcawl Harbour, United Kingdom | |
| 9 Jul 1942: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, Air Gunnery Schools, No. 7 Air Gunner School, Stormy Down, Porthcawl Harbour, United Kingdom | |
| 21 Jul 1942: | Transferred Royal Air Force , Flight Sergeant, Operational Training Units (RAF), No. 27 Operational Training Unit, Lichfield, United Kingdom | |
| 10 Oct 1942: | Transferred Royal Air Force , Flight Sergeant, No. 12 Squadron (RAF) | |
| 15 Jun 1943: | Transferred Royal Air Force , Flight Sergeant, RAF Conversion Units , No. 1656 Conversion Unit, Lindholme, Yorkshire, United Kingdom | |
| 15 Jun 1943: | Promoted Royal Air Force , Pilot Officer, RAF Conversion Units , No. 1656 Conversion Unit, Lindholme, Yorkshire, United Kingdom | |
| 15 Dec 1943: | Promoted Royal Air Force , Flying Officer, RAF Conversion Units , No. 1656 Conversion Unit, Lindholme, Yorkshire, United Kingdom | |
| 28 Dec 1943: | Transferred Royal Air Force , Flying Officer, RAF Headquarters Units, No. 1 Air Armament School, Caistor, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom | |
| 25 Mar 1944: | Embarked Royal Air Force , Flying Officer, 416300, Royal Air Force - unspecified units, Embarked United Kingdom, disembarked Sydney 12 May 1944 | |
| 12 May 1944: | Transferred Royal Air Force , Flying Officer, 2 Personnel Depot | |
| 29 May 1944: | Transferred Royal Air Force , Flying Officer, 4 Personnel Depot (RAAF) | |
| 27 Jun 1944: | Transferred Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, RAAF Ground Training Schools, Central Gunnery School, Cressy, New South Wales, Australia | |
| 15 Jun 1945: | Promoted Royal Air Force , Flight Lieutenant, 4 Personnel Depot (RAAF) | |
| 25 Sep 1945: | Transferred Royal Air Force , Flight Lieutenant, 4 Personnel Depot (RAAF) | |
| 27 Sep 1945: | Discharged Royal Air Force , Flight Lieutenant, 416300, No. 12 Squadron (RAF) |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Robin Watts
Colin was the third son of Bert and Annie Watts who established a mixed business in George Street Millicent in 1913. Colin was educated at the Millicent Primary School, the Millicent High School and in 1935-36 at St Peter’s College where he distinguished himself in the first XVIII. He worked in the family business until he joined the RAAF. His log book shows that he had exceptionally neat handwriting and an aptitude for detail, skills which stood him in good stead after the war when he returned to the family business, but at the same time carried on a successful bookmaking business.
Colin wisely invested his earnings and was able to retire at a comparatively early age. He married Gwendolyn Mary McIntyre. She survived him but they had no children. At his funeral service, the Anglican rector who had attended Colin during his long final illness described him as “one of Millicent’s heroes “ which he undoubtedly was. Although Colin was lucky to have survived the war, he was not unscathed. Like many of his contemporaries, he had undiagnosed PTSD.
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