Herbert Gilles Watson

Who was Herbert Gilles Watson?

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 in mid-July.