Page 31 - Demo

Watling, William Charles(Entry 9-39)Watling was born in Middlesborough on 22nd February 1920 but his family later settled in Guernsey where he attended Elizabeth College from 1936 to 1939. He excelled at Athletics. He entered%u00a0%u00a0Cranwell in September 1939. The course was suspended on the outbreak of war and he was transferred to the RAFVR as an Airman u/t Pilot, but still at Cranwell.After completing his flying training he graduated with a Permanent Commission on 14th July 1940 and joined 92 Squadron at Pembrey on the 20 August 1940. He was then posted straight to 5 OTU Aston Down to convert to Spitfires and did not return to 92 till 2nd August. Shortly after returning to the squadron, Watling claimed a share in the destruction of a Junkers Ju 88 on 14 August 1940. On 9 September he was shot down in combat over East Guldeford near Rye while flying Spitfire P9372, baling out into the sea and suffering burns to his face and hands. Following recuperation under the care of Dr. Archibald McIndoe, he resumed flying and probably destroyed a Messerschmitt Bf 109 on 2 November and damaged another on 1 December 1940.He was killed on 7th February 1941, still with 92. Two Spitfires, including Watling in R6924, took off from Manston in the morning for a weather test. Visibility was extremely bad and his aircraft flew into high ground near Deal. Watling was 20 years old and is buried in St. Mary Cray Cemetery, Orpington, Kent.