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1828261
Gunner
William Charles Watters
1914/01/26 - Born St Dennis, Cornwall
Son of Hedley George and Gertrude (nee Common) Watters
Brother to Muriel, Hedley, Inex, Phyllis, Stewart and Clarence
Occupation Labourer
1941, June - Enlisted
Royal Artillery
49/48 Light Anti Aircraft Regiment
Service
The 48 L.A.A Regiment was formed in 1940 and comprised of 49, 95 and 242 Batteries.
1941/12/06 -The Territorial Chester area 21st Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment together with the 48th L.A.A Regiment, 77 H.A.A. and 18 L.A.A. Regiments of the Royal Artillery left the Clyde for the Middle East in Convoy William Sail 14X.
1941/12/08 - Japan attacked Malaya entering the war against Britain.
1942/01/13 - By the time WS 14X had reached Durban, South Africa their destination had changed to the Singapore and they sailed in Convoy DM-2 (Durban Malaya -2).
1942/01/19 - Off Mombassa at 01.05 N, 91.28 E they merged with Convoy Bm-12 (Bombay Malaya -12) and were re-routed to Batavia, Java with their supplies.
1942/02/03 - Arrived Batavia in Empress of Australia.
48 LAA Regiment, Royal Artillery, on arrival in Batavia, deployed the 49 Battery around Kalidjati airfield, North of Bandoeng. The 95 Battery were deployed at Andir airfield, Bandoeng and HQ together with 242 Battery were in Batavia.
1942/02/28 - A strong Japanese force landed on the North Coast of Java at Eretenwetan. Using tanks they soon reached Kalidjati airfield, destroying the 49th Battalion of the 48 L.A.A. Regiment.
1942/03/08 - Java surrendered to the Japanese
William Officially Reported Missing
1943/03/23 - WO 417/58, Casualty List No. 1090. Now reported a Prisoner of War.
Japanese PoW
1942/03/09 - Captured Java
1942/03/28 - Tanjung Priok camp
PoW No. 1609
Japanese Index Card - Side One
Japanese Index Card - Side Two
1942/09/26 - Transported oversea with Java Party 2
To Changi
1942/10/09 Transported oversea to Kutching, Borneo
1945/09/02 - Liberated Batu Lintang, Sarawak, Borneo
Liberation Questionnaire
1945/12/29 - WO417/100, Casualty List No. 1946. Previously reported on Casualty List No. 1096 as Prisoner of War now Not Prisoner of War. Previous Theatre of War, Netherlands East Indies.
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Pacific Star
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War Medal
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1939-1945 Star
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Post War
William’s first wife died before WW2.
On William return from the Far East he married Joyce.
William revisited Roehampton hospital a number of times and was never free of health problems.
Died
8th October 1993
Cornwall
Information
Malcolm Watters - Son
KEW Files:- WO 361/2208, WO 345/54, WO 392/26,
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