6 ft 4in tall Father: Joseph, 1st Baron Manton (Lord Manton, an industrialist, d. 1922); mother: Frances Claire [Nickols], Lady Manton, of Offchurch Dury, Leamington [see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Watson,_1st_Baron_Manton] He was the younger brother of George Miles Watson, 2nd Baron Manton, b. 1899 - d. 1968 1918-19, Cadet at Sandhurst
prev. a 'breeder of bloodstock' in Kenya His engagement to a Mrs Beryl Purves (nee Clutterbuck), of Kenya, was announced in April 1927. However, this article appeared in August: "A serial story with the facts set down, but with all the explanations provocatively left out, has been running since Friday of last week in newspaper columns. It is a disappointing story in one way, for the last chapter leaves the reader with an unsatisfied middle-chapter curiosity. The first instalment appeared on Friday 22 April. Here it is:— “The Hon. R. F. Watson and Mrs. Purves. “The engagement is announced between the Hon. Robert Fraser Watson, second son of the late Lord Manton and Claire Lady Manton, of Offchurch, Bury, Leamington Spa, and Beryl, only daughter of Mr, C. B. Clutterbuck, late of Njoro, Kenya Colony, and of Mrs Kirkpatrick, of Sey, Kenya Colony.” Tuesday's instalment (23 August) brought a complication, for it announced that “the marriage arranged between the Hon. R. F. Watson and Mrs. B. Purves will now not take place.” The serial concluded yesterday, only three days later, with the announcement :— “Mr. M. Markham and Mrs. Purves. “The engagement is announced from Kenya Colony between Mansfield Markham, second son of the late Sir Arthur Markham, Bt., and Beryl, only daughter of the late Mr, C. B. Cluttterbuck and Mrs. Kirkpatrick, of kenya Colony.”. [Here is a photo of (famous aviatrix) Beryl Markham (nee Clutterbuck):
She was the first person to fly solo, non-stop across the Atlantic from Britain to North America. She wrote about her adventures in her memoir, West with the Night."] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryl_Markham
Anyway, he then m. 26 Apr 1928 in Kenya, Angela Blanche Gladwin [Denniss]
"Married in Nairobi Cathedral, Kenya Colony ... the Hon. Robert and Mrs Watson are now on their way home to England" - The Sketch - Wednesday 18 July 1928 "Her husband has some horses in training and she shares his enthusiasm for racing and other sporting occupations", according to The Tatler in 1930 They had one daughter, Shirley Angela Josephine Watson, b. 7 Mar 1932
RAeC certificate No 12651 (23 Mar 1935) on Avro Club Cadet at Heston 1st-Lieut in Home Guard, 1 Jul 1940 - 10 Apr 1941 Address in 1941: New Barn, Winkfield, Berks; later, 'Pumtrees', Sunningdale, Berks
prev. exp. 100 hrs Postings: 1FPP, 6FPP, AFTS, HQ White Waltham Originally joined as Asst. Chief OC School at White Waltham, but later changed to 'Editing Office and Ferry Pilot' Flight Captain from 14 Feb 1942 Off sick from 15 Jul to 15 Oct 1942 with bronchitis, 12-19 Feb 1943 with influenza Reprimanded 9 Jul 1944 for 'Loss of Hudson handling notes' 2 accidents, 1 his fault: - 29 Oct 1941, a precautionary landing in Magister T9704 after engine failure - 29 Nov 1942, the propeller of his Spitfire IX EN140 'pecked' the ground during take-off, and was damaged "A keen pilot of average ability who possesses good judgement" ... "had very little difficulty in reaching an average standard, which is good in view of his limited flying" "Was somewhat heavy handed but his flying in favourable weather was up to standard. Should not however be expected to ferry aircraft of this type (Halifax) in inclement weather, until considerable experience has been gained in good weather." Angela d. 18 Nov 1959, in Surrey. m. 1961 in London, Enid A M [Cameron] d. 29 May 1975 - Windsor, Berks Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
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1935
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